The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank, together with national property consultancy Fisher German LLP, have advised on the letting of 19,000 sq ft of quality office space at 8 Park Row in central Leeds.
Study Group is taking a five-year lease on this landmark building in one of the most significant office deals in the city this year and the building will be the new home of The Leeds International Study Centre (ISC) for progression to the University of Leeds.
This move puts international students at the heart of the city, allowing them to embrace everything the ‘top UK student city1’ has to offer.
8 Park Row has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment. Following this refurbishment, the International Study Centre will occupy floors 3 to 7.
The International Study Centre is a partnership that unites Study Group with the University of Leeds around the shared goal of increasing international student participation and success in global education. It has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Over the years, the Leeds International Study Centre for progression to the University of Leeds has seen thousands of students from 95 countries receive offers of degree study at the University of Leeds after completing a pathway programme. Students from 64 nationalities have started at the Centre in this academic year alone.
The Centre’s wide range of pathway programmes delivered by Study Group, with subjects spanning science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM), business, law, international relations, and social studies, helps students progress to the university course that best meets their higher education ambitions.
Eamon Fox, partner and head of development at the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank, commented: “This letting is a ringing endorsement of the quality of 8 Park Row, one of the most elegant buildings within the professional core of Leeds. A comprehensive refurbishment inside has created an attractive contemporary office environment, while retaining the best original features.
“8 Park Row is located on Park Row and is within five minutes’ walk of Leeds Station. Park Row is also a bus thoroughfare, so many services are available within a short walk of the building. Leeds is located at the head of the M1 motorway and has easy access to the M62 and A1 routes.”
Mr Fox added: “8 Park Row has also been enhanced by the pedestrianization of City Square, the planting of trees and the widening of pavements on Park Row, making it an exceptionally attractive street. At the same time, the building’s green credentials are exemplary, with top-quality air-conditioning, a BREEAM rating of very good, LED lighting, EV charging points. Overall, this is a future proof specification, which is perfect for any business.”
Meanwhile 8 Park Row is a significant site historically in Leeds. Beckett Bank, the first bank in the city, was built there in 1867, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. It could easily have passed as the sister to St Pancras Station in London, Sir Gilbert’s masterpiece. Leeds General Infirmary is the sister building in Leeds and still stands. The junction outside was the site of the first traffic lights in Britain in 1928.
Just shy of its centenary in 1967, Becketts Bank was demolished and 8 Park Row, as it is now, built. In the last ten years there’s been major consolidation by the big banks and Park Row is no longer the “Wall Street of the North”. There was a proposal in the last ten years to convert 8 Park Row to housing. Leeds Civic Trust objected to the scheme which resembled a hotel in Benidorm! The exterior would have been completely covered in balconies.
July Behl, Chief Partnerships Officer at Study Group commented: “To say that we value our partnership with the University of Leeds would be an understatement – we are extremely proud to work with such a prestigious institution and our investment into the exceptional facilities at 8 Park Row are a statement of what this partnership means to us and how much we are committed to continue to provide world-class international education. The quality of the building, its location and architecture mean that we can provide a seamless campus experience to our students and provide them with the best possible environment for them to succeed and go on to do great things.”
Eamon Fox continued: “Park Row marks the point at which the accepted office core and the retail area merge. So, the best in food, drink and entertainment are close at hand, as are great retail hotspots. Trinity Leeds and the main shopping quarter is only a short walk away as is the civic quarter including Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds Museum, O2 Academy and Leeds Arena”.
Mr Fox added: “More generally, this letting is another excellent example of the influential role that educational establishments are now playing in Leeds city centre. Over the past two years, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) has moved into the iconic Electric Press building in the city centre, Leeds Trinity University has opened a new campus at Trevelyan Square in Boar Lane and the Mathematics School of Excellence has moved into bespoke space in Albion Street. This adds to the vibrancy of the city and to increased graduate retention.”
David Laws, Partner and Head of National Offices for Fisher German who advised Study Group, commented, “Following an extensive evaluation of options within Leeds city centre, 8 Park Row provided a logical choice to accommodate the operational needs of the International Study Centre. The relocation from Wellington Place, Leeds will enable students and staff to occupy a prime city centre location in a recently refurbished building that provides excellent amenities and flexibility. The new facility will continue to support students progressing to the University of Leeds.”
