Development of the Tower Works site in Holbeck is due to recommence as the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) announced today (10 March 2015) that Carillion has been selected as their preferred development partner.
Tower Works dates back to 1860 and produced pins for the textile industry. Amongst its buildings were three chimneys built in the style of Italian bell towers. The chimneys are Grade II listed structures and the new development will be built around them.
The site was given planning permission for a mixed-use development in 2009 and the first phase of offices was developed, opening in 2012. Carillion will now build 147 apartments, 92,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground floor space for shops, bars and restaurants.
Dilys Jones from the HCA, which owns the site, explained that they had ask developers to bring forward schemes that had a commercial focus but also respected the vision of Holbeck Urban Village. That vision is about integrating the history of the many buildings that date back to the birth of the industrial revolution with creating a home for the creative and digital industries and high quality public spaces.
Gareth Jackson, development director for Carillion said that he expected the £80m development to start on site in January 2016 and the work would last for four years.
Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and the economy said:
“Tower Works is truly an iconic site and it is very important for the regeneration of the South Bank. As a council we are keen that developments here have high quality designs and that they include housing for families – a first for this area.”
