McLaren gets green light for 45-storey Leeds tower
Construction & Build
McLaren’s property arm has got the planning green light to build a 45-storey build to rent tower and two lower-rise office blocks to the west of Leeds city centre.
Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the Wellington Square scheme will be located on the city skyline by the landmark hexagonal-shaped residential block which will rise to 141m and provide just over 460 flats.
Two adjacent office blocks of 14 and 15 storeys will provide around 435,000 sq ft of space next to the main block of flats.
All buildings will have terracotta facades. The build to rent tower will be clad in white tiles while the office buildings will be red, drawing inspiration from the local red masonry buildings of Leeds.
Prior to work starting, the site bounded by Wellington and Lisbon Street next to the A58 gyratory will also require demolition of existing buildings.
Tom Gilman, managing director at McLaren Regeneration, said: “A significant new quarter is taking shape in Leeds’ West End and this scheme is integral to that.
“The commercial space will set a new benchmark for accommodation across the north of England and will be a landmark for the city.”
The twin office buildings are designed to reach the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency, BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 6*.
Matthew Biddle, managing director at McLaren Living, said, “Our aim is to bring forward the residential as the first phase of the development.
“The hexagonal tower will be a new landmark on the Leeds skyline with striking architecture, delivering new homes with wonderful views across Leeds with access to a wide range of amenities on site including an outstanding sky-lounge on the 45th floor set within high quality public realm.”
The Wellington Square project is McLaren’s second in Leeds. Last August it secured planning for the £85m Beck Yard build-to-rent residential development in the South Bank Regeneration area.
Designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher this project is set to transform a vacant former car park site into a residential led neighbourhood delivering 375 build-to-rent homes, comprising a mix of apartments.
Written by Aaron Morby @ Construction Enquirer