‘Stunning’ Leeds city centre office development secures significant new tenant

Barnett Waddingham, an independent UK professional services consultancy focussing on risk, pensions, investment and insurance, is taking 14,000 sq ft of ‘prime’ office space at developer MRP’s City Square House in Leeds on a 15-year lease.

This is the one of the most significant pre-let office deals in the city during the past 12 months. It was brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank. Barnett Waddingham, who are relocating from within Leeds, are paying £37 per sq ft with a 10-year break on the 15-year lease.

City Square House is a 140,000 sq ft speculative development and the only remaining undeveloped property fronting City Square. Its ‘stunning’ design, with extensive use of glass and steel, will provide an ‘unrivalled presence’ in both City Square and the adjacent Leeds Station.

The workspace will comprise Grade A office accommodation over 12-storeys including low carbon credentials, terraces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels and extensive cycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging point facilities. Practical completion of the building, built by Design & Build contractors McAleer & Rushe, is scheduled for early next year.

Barnett Waddingham will be joining global law firm DLA and Markel, a leading SME-focused expert in providing integrated insurance, tax and legal services, in the building. Together, these two companies have taken a combined total of 103,000 sq ft.

Angus Monteith, Development Director at MRP, commented: “We are delighted to welcome a company with such an excellent reputation as Barnett Waddingham to City Square House. This latest signing means the development is now 85 per cent pre-let with a final 22,000 sq ft available.

“Securing a 15-year pre-let deal is a very significant and positive statement of intent in the long-term future prosperity of office space in Leeds and, indeed, in urban centres throughout the UK. As we near completion of construction in early 2024, we expect this strong demand for the best workspace will continue.”

Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, advised the landlord: “The Barnett Waddingham deal completes a magnificent hat-trick of high calibre companies moving into City Square House. City Square House is the iconic new office development that the Leeds market has been waiting for.

“It is in a prime position, just off City Square and next to Leeds Station, and the remaining available space of 22,000 sq ft will help to address the pressing need for quality Grade A office space in the city centre.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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