A prime office site in Leeds city centre’s creative quarter is to undergo major renovation works to provide unique and striking new workspace under a new brand.
£2 million has been committed to transform Chancellor Court at 21 The Calls into new high specification space that combines exposed features with modern design. Leeds based creative agency Society Studios has rebranded the prominent buildings as The Coach Works, a name that harkens back to the proud heritage of the site as the former coach works for Wallace Arnold, historically one of the UK’s largest motor coach holiday tour operators.
The Coach Works is made up of two buildings totalling 41,479 sqft. Current occupiers include St James Place Wealth Management and Global Knowledge Network Training Ltd. It sits in the heart of a thriving part of Leeds now recognised as its ‘creative’ district that is surrounded by independent shops, trendy bars and unlimited options for food.
The property is owned by Regional REIT and is part of their extensive UK property portfolio which is now worth close to £800 million.
The refurbished office suites over four floors will benefit from new VRF air conditioning, new raised access floors, LED lighting, inspiring break out areas and newly refurbished toilets as well as new shower facilities. Exposed services and high-tech fixtures will differentiate the space to appeal to the technology, media and telecoms sectors as well as more traditional businesses looking for high quality, modern office space. The building has a very good city centre parking ratio and a bike store will also be available on site.
London and Scottish Property Investment Management exclusively asset manage the entire portfolio on behalf of Regional REIT. Ben Mitchell, Senior Asset Manager at London & Scottish Property Investment Management said, “We are delighted to be working with a local team of experts to help us reimagine the space at The Coach Works and really add something new to the inspiring cultural experiences that are becoming more prevalent within this area of Leeds.
“Leeds city centre has become an epicentre for the creative industries as we continue to see the ripple effect of prolific brands relocating to The North. The Coach Works will deliver inspirational, high quality office space in an area with superb local amenities, and only five minutes’ walk from the train station and retail heart of Leeds.”
Mike Holmes, Business Director at Society Studios said, “We are pleased to work once again with London & Scottish Property Investment Management in helping them to take advantage of changing occupier demands and reposition the property to a product that stands out from the competition. As property marketing specialists we understand the challenges in transforming bricks and mortar into somewhere we would all aspire to live or work. We have taken inspiration from the sites historic use as a coach park and used this to create some strong campaigns.”
Suites from 3,250 sqft up to 10,000 sqft are currently available to let at The Coach Works. Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield are marketing the scheme.
Elizabeth Ridler of Knight Frank said, “The office environment has come a long way in recent years. For employers to attract and retain good talent they need to provide spaces that are living hives of creative thinking, collaborative working and innovation. The Coach Works will offer exactly that and we are excited to be representing the scheme.”
Adam Cockroft of Cushman & Wakefield, said, “The Coach Works will offer some of the most unique and striking workspaces, right in the heart of Leeds’ creative quarter, The Calls. With a fusion of original features and modern design, The Coach Works is set to be the ultimate high-spec creative workspace, surrounded by inspiration offering a plethora of businesses the opportunity to make a statement.”
The renovation programme is expected to complete by Autumn this year.
