Leeds City Council and DLA Piper join Future Cities Forum

Aerial view of developments to north and east of Leeds Train Station (DLA Piper)

Leeds City Council's Head of Regeneration, Adam Brannen will be speaking at our city centres discussion this week. Adam has been in his role since 2003, before that working as Regeneration Officer at Southampton City Council and in planning at Suffolk County Council. He is behind The British Library move of its northern headquarters into the historic Temple Mill building in Leeds South Bank area close to the River Aire.

He is joined by Andrew Clarke, Partner in the Real Estate team at global law firm DLA Piper and who has been involved in developing new office space at 'City Square House' to be constructed on a site next to the Majestic development in the centre of Leeds. City Square House will stand at a key gateway of the city, on the Wellington Street side of the square near Leeds City Station.

DLA Piper signed a deal with developer MRP to take more than 80,000 square feet of prime office space in the 12-storey development. Leading UK design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe will commence construction in May this year on the £85m project, which will meet the needs of the post Covid-19 era via a blend of technology, open plan design and roof gardens.

It is one of a number of forward thinking schemes coming together in City Square, with the Majestic having been chosen as the home of Channel 4 following a stylish and sensitive redevelopment of the landmark former cinema, ballroom and restaurant.

Work is also continuing on several projects to improve Leeds City Station as part of the Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan, while a competition was launched in September to find an expert design team that will help oversee the wider transformation of City Square, delivering a vibrant and inclusive welcome to the city which reflects the council's climate challenges and cultural ambitions.

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council said:

'City Square is already at the heart of life in Leeds and we are determined to improve it still further, creating a world-class space that is a source of pride for all our residents.

'The new development will help us achieve that aim and I look forward to seeing it take shape alongside the many other transformative projects planned for the city centre.

'It also offers a timely reminder that Leeds is very much open for business, despite the huge challenges posed by Covid-19.'

The council says the announcement follows a sustained period of active work with the legal sector that has seen cost-effectiveness, connectivity and a track record of innovation make Leeds the UK centre of excellence for legal services outside of London.

Based in Leeds, Andrew Clarke advises a portfolio of local, national and international clients. He specialises in advising corporate occupiers including central government departments, health companies, motor dealerships, charities and property developers.

Andrew has also advised Yorkshire County Cricket Club on the development of the new Pavilion at the Emerald Headingley Stadium and advised on the Bexley Wing at St James. Andrew has been involved with the Maggie's Centre built on land next to the Bexley Wing since its very inception.

Further to this, Andrew advised the Department o f Education when they moved their Sheffield Office to 2 St Paul's Place, on the acquisition and construction of a new Office for NS&I in Durham and a combined Local Authority/Department for Education office in Darlington. Andrew also acquired a new Head office for Modulaire Group in London towards the end of 2020.