Evans Property Group has unveiled its Minerva office building on East Parade in central Leeds following a £5m investment to transform the building with a contemporary new exterior and30,568 sq ft of much-needed Grade A office accommodation to boost the City’s low supply levels.
In 2013, Leeds was the only UK regional centre with supply levels as low as in 2007 so the need for new, Grade A space is more pressing than ever and Evans is confident that the timing is right to launchthis prominent, BREEAM Excellent rated building to the market.
The nine month internal and external refurbishment programme at Minerva has resulted in a contemporary new façade, 6 floors of Grade A office accommodation with flexible floor-plates and a striking reception area designed by award-winning interior designer Katharine Pooley, whose previous projects include the stylish interiors for the Royal and VIP Lounges at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.The office accommodation features new VRF heating/cooling and energy efficient LED lighting.
Minerva forms the first phase of Evans’ multi-million pound investment into the Bond Court area of Leeds City Centre which will include the complete refurbishment of neighbouring Capitol House to deliver a further 20,000 sq ft of new office accommodation, extensive public realm works in Bond Court itself and the development of a 9 storey, 90 bed 4 * Dakota hotel which will transform the prominent former ‘stacker’ car park fronting both Greek Street and Bond Court. Planning for the new hotel was granted to Evans in February this year and demolition is set to commence in the forthcoming weeks.
Alan Syers, Portfolio Director at Evans Property Group, said; “It is incredibly exciting to have completed the first phase of our Bond Court regeneration plans. Minerva has always boasted one of the best locations within the City Centre and now its accommodation is as smart as its address. With much of the city’s stock being snapped up in the last couple of years, there is a real shortage of Grade A offices in the heart of Leeds, with very little in the pipeline. Therefore, we have every confidence that Minerva will be a welcome addition to the market. GMI Construction has already started work on site at Capitol House as part of our comprehensive works at Bond Court which further demonstrate our commitment to the Leeds office market.”
Evans Property Group has appointed the Leeds offices of CBRE and JLL to market the available space at Minerva.
Jeff Pearey at JLL said; “The whole ethos behind the latest programme of works at Minerva has been to provide office space of the very highest standard resulting in a winning combination of Grade A quality and prime location that so many of today’s occupiers are looking for.”
Alex Hailey at CBRE, added; “Evans has timed this project ideally to capitalise on the city’s low supply levels and the increasing confidence from occupiers. We are already handling high levels of interest in the available space and look forward to welcoming new occupiers in due course.”
