The spectacular transformation of 34 Boar Lane in the heart of Leeds into a creative office, leisure and retail space is now complete.
Accenture Digital are the first company to take up residence, as a launch partner, following the £6.5m renovation.
The prestigious development, which comprises the only new Grade A office space to come on to the Leeds market this year, is officially launched today (19th September).
Owners Kinrise have fulfilled ambitious plans to create one of the most dynamic mixed-use destinations in Leeds. The 57,000 sq ft building is located immediately opposite the railway station and is ready to occupy now.
34 Boar Lane is unique as a workspace as it provides single desks for entrepreneurs, studios for small teams and full floors for large global companies, all under one roof with a programme of cultural events and even free electric bicycles for tenants to get around the city.
Global consultancy firm Accenture Digital is a launch partner of the co-working and studio space in order to be the first to take advantage of the fantastic facilities and act as a catalyst for the Boar Lane creative, digital and technology ecosystem. Accenture will make 34 Boar Lane their home in Leeds and the base for their activities and planned growth in the city.
Each floor comprises up to 10,000 sq ft of office space, but can be sub-divided, if necessary, ranging from one desk in the co-working space upwards.
George Haddo, co-founder and director of Kinrise, explained: “Our aim is to turn iconic but un-loved buildings into creative work and community space. It means that the city’s heritage lives on for the future and real cultural capital remains in the centre rather than being pushed further out of cities.
“Our new flagship project in Boar Lane has been regenerated into an inspiring collaborative environment that will offer occupiers characterful, design-led office and co-working space with top technology as well an exciting range of independent restaurants, shops and events space.”
He commented: “Our tenant-leasing structure enables us to welcome entrepreneurs for just a month in co-working through to 25 years for established businesses. This is a unique approach.
“We are excited to have transformed this building into a contemporary workspace with great character and culture, which is fit for the many dynamic businesses and creatives basing themselves in Leeds, especially since Channel 4’s arrival in the city.
“This is proven in Canada House, the grade II-listed commercial building on Chepstow Street in Manchester, which we have brought back to life. It is now fully-let for the first time in 30 years and home to multi nationals like Omnicom and Puma through to local social ventures.”
Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who are marketing 34 Boar Lane, commented: “The official opening of this very special building is tremendous news for Leeds. It is the only Grade A office space to come on to the market in the city this year – and interest has already been very strong.
“We are choosing our occupiers very carefully, though. The spirit and ethos of 34 Boar Lane is crucial. For example, we could have let the restaurant units to famous high street operators, but we want to create a strong, independent and ground-breaking culture here.
“We worked with Kinrise for over three years to find the correct property in Leeds to buy and now our ambitious vision has become a reality.
“We have transformed this well-positioned building into an exciting workplace at the forefront of the Leeds market. Be prepared, this is very special.”
Kinrise’s co-founder and director Samuel Lawson Johnston added: “The building is now a contemporary workspace and incorporates the principles of a diverse community of people shaping a place together, with connected environments: digitally, physically, socially, but within a design-led, space for occupiers to work in.
“People and organisations thrive as part of a community – the opportunity to build a sense of place is at the centre of what we do when we buy and refurbish buildings. It means that the city’s heritage lives on for future generations”.
Eamon Fox commented: “This project is a game changer and the radical redevelopment of 34 Boar Lane is another excellent example of the strength and buoyancy of the Leeds office and investment market. Last year all sorts of records were broken in this sector and this year has been exceptional, too. “
Mr Fox added: “The outlook is very bright. Leeds is very well-connected; its retail offer is superb; and the quality of life in the city is far superior to London. There is every reason to be optimistic and no reason to think that recent office statistics were simply a never-to-be-repeated flash in the pan. With investors’ money ready and waiting, 2019 is proving to be another exciting and successful year for the Leeds office market.”
Kinrise bought 34 Boar Lane for £9.58 million from Regional REIT, managed by London & Scottish Investments.
The £6.5 refurbishment of 34 Boar Lane was undertaken by leading London-based contractors Oktra.