Vastint UK begins work on the next stage of its Aire Park development in Leeds

Works have begun on the next stage of Aire Park, a new district being built by Vastint UK in the heart of Leeds’ South Bank.

The latest phase will see the construction of a new seven-storey, commercial building, boasting 75,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor retail and leisure space. Located on the corner of Waterloo Street and Hunslet Road, the new landmark building will act as a gateway to Aire Park on the approach from Leeds train station and the city centre.

Designed by architects Cartwright Pickard, the building has sustainable construction and occupier wellbeing at its heart, in line with Vastint UK’s development ethos of creating a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant community.

Simon Schofield, head of development at Vastint UK, said: “With works beginning on our third commercial building, Aire Park is truly becoming a reality. Leeds’ reputation as a fantastic place to live and work has been widely documented, and we’re pleased to be playing our part in this by not only driving further inward investment, but creating a brand-new urban district.

“As a long-term developer, we’re looking forward to seeing the development thrive over the coming years, and to working with a number of key stakeholders including Leeds City Council to improve connectivity, develop sustainable transport links, and overall help an unrealised area of the city centre to reach its full potential.”

Peter Cartwright, director at Cartwright Pickard, added: “This is a new generation of office building for Leeds, designed to enhance wellbeing and productivity, as well as to strengthen a sense of place.

“Once complete, the latest phase of the development will make a valuable contribution to the townscape by shaping a key entrance into Aire Park from the city centre, while bringing the public realm at Tetley Triangle to life.”

Projected to be fully complete in 2032, Aire Park will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, and will create a vibrant new district which will be home to over 11,000 workers and up to 3,000 residents. Centred around an expansive, eight-acre public park, Aire Park will also provide one of the largest new city centre green spaces in the country.

The site, which will include the city’s newest commercial district with over 1 million sq ft of grade A, sustainable office space, as well as a 200-bed hotel, will reconnect the former industrial site with the city centre.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It’s really exciting to see the progress being made at Aire Park, with the plans for its latest building being a great example of the bold thinking that is driving both Vastint’s work on this new urban district and the regeneration of the wider South Bank.

“We want Leeds to be the best possible place to live, work and visit, and projects like Aire Park will help us achieve that aim by supporting inclusive growth through the provision of new homes, jobs and opportunities for all.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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