Cedar (Maple Oak) Ltd, a company owned by the Richardson family, alongside its development partner Ask Real Estate Ltd, has submitted a planning application to develop the historic Tower Works site on Globe Road in Holbeck. The plans were warmly received by the city’s Plans Panel in April. Cedar (Maple Oak) Ltd has also selected a preferred contractor which will be announced in the coming weeks and enabling works will start on site once planning approval is achieved.
The scheme will deliver two new residential buildings providing 245 1, 2 and 3-bedroom build to rent apartments and duplexes to the south of the railway station, delivering much needed housing to complement the city centre offer. Ground floor commercial uses will be created as well as extensive new areas of public realm to enable a pedestrian route through from the city centre to the Holbeck Urban Village neighbourhood.
Tower Works has a rich industrial history. Established in the 1860s as a steel pin factory for carding and combing in the textile industry, the works closed in 1981 and have been earmarked for regeneration for many years. The original Victorian buildings, designed by Thomas Shaw, are famous for their Italianate influence which is most obvious in the three prominent towers: Verona; Giotto and Little Chimney, a much-loved element of the Leeds skyline and which will be a focal point of the scheme. Tower Works is already home to a number of creative and digital companies following the redevelopment of one of the site’s historic buildings, creating a thriving media and technology community on site.
Commenting on the application Ben Holmes, real estate director for Richardson, said:
“We are determined to move forward with our development plans for Tower Works as quickly as possible and are delighted to have already secured our main contractor. To ensure the scheme enhances and supports the existing business community, the South Bank regeneration programme and the city’s wider development plans, we have been working closely with the City Council to evolve and refine the designs in recent months. We are ready to start work as soon as the planning process is completed and are excited to see this superb site developed for future generations to enjoy.”
He continued: “With businesses like Channel 4 choosing Leeds we need to build homes and amenities which will help to attract talent and enhance city living and we believe Tower Works will be a popular location for the city’s future residents. We are also continuing our long-standing partnership with development managers Ask Real Estate to deliver the scheme. They are market leaders in commercial development and urban regeneration with significant experience working in partnership with both the public and private sector.”
John Hughes, managing director of Ask Real Estate, said:
“Tower Works is at the heart of the South Bank regeneration area which is creating a global destination for investment, sustainable living, culture and creativity. Our designs have met with extremely positive feedback both during the consultation phase and at plans panel, and we are looking forward to starting construction this summer.
“We have worked with Richardson on many other commercial developments across northern England and have been looking at opportunities in Leeds for some time. Tower Works is a superb site, in a great location and it has an exciting future as one of the city’s leading residential locations.”
The delivery team includes project managers and QS Faithful + Gould; Ryder Architecture and WSP Engineering.
This post is based on a press release issued by Richardson and Ask Real Estate
Photo: Ryder Architecture.
