Legal & General and Glenbrook complete Leeds City Centre’s largest Build to Rent funding to date

Legal & General (‘L&G’) and Glenbrook today announce the funding of a £140m residential development in Whitehall Riverside in Leeds, committing to the delivery of 500 new homes.

This marks the third scheme funded by L&G in the City and, upon practical completion, will bring the number of new rental homes it has delivered in Leeds to over 1,000. Glenbrook is leading the development of the Whitehill Riverside scheme, with completion expected in April 2026.

The Whitehall Riverside development will be made up of residential apartments, all designed for rental occupancy. The development consists of a mix 1, 2, and 3-bed flats and includes resident facilities such as a concierge, lobby, gym, podium gardens and terraces. The project resides on the banks of the river Aire and includes ground floor retail and 60 parking spaces.

Responding to enduring regional demand for high-quality rental property, the development sits within a new residential and business district in Leeds City Centre. As part of the wider masterplan for Whitehall Riverside, the development will act as a catalyst for the creation of a new mixed-use riverside destination aiming to cement its position as the leading place to live and work in Leeds City Centre.

The development’s location has been carefully considered to ensure that residents benefit from the diverse and growing employment opportunities, as well as its cultural destinations, local amenities, and strong transport links – including Leeds Central station, which is within a five-minute walk.

With ESG at its core, the impact of the Whitehall Riverside scheme, both on the environment and local community has been prioritised in design proposals. The development has been designed to achieve BREEAM “Excellent” and HQM (Home Quality Mark) Level 4, as well as an ambition to be operationally net zero carbon by 2030.

The investment follows L&G’s acquisition of Mustard Wharf BTR site in 2017 and Tower Works in 2021 – both of which sit within Legal & General Investment Management’s (LGIM) Build to Rent Fund. L&G were advised by Savills and Glenbrook were advised by CBRE.

Adam Burney, head of annuity BTR at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets: “The BTR sector has continued to see substantial and sustained growth in recent years, as investors continue to be attracted by burgeoning demand for high quality rental property in the UK.”

Ian Sherry, director at Glenbrook, commented: “To have secured the largest funding deal Leeds has seen, against such challenging economic conditions, demonstrates the strength of the investment proposition we have created here at Whitehall Riverside. This will be a best-in-class residential scheme on one of the most prominent sites and locations in the city.”

Andrew Kail, CEO of Legal & General Retirement Institutional: “Today’s announcement showcases our commitment to deliver positive social outcomes across the UK. By investing in the growth of residential areas, such as the Whitehall Riverside development in Leeds, we are supporting a truly vibrant city that hosts key economic and employment sectors.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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