The iconic site of the former Yorkshire Evening Post offices in Leeds could be about to become the home of the latest tall buildings in the city centre.
Permission is being sought by a combination of student accommodation developer Urbanite, architects DLA and consultant Quod. If the scheme gets the go-ahead, it will be transformed with a trio of new towers.
The site was cleared in 2014 and lies at the important Wellington Street Gateway, making it a prime location to develop with the three mixed residential buildings. The plans will see the old Yorkshire Post Tower being reinvented with a piece of public art, while over half of the ground around the building will become public realm, including a mini-forest to capture carbon and improve air quality.
Urbanite spokesman Daniel Newett said: “We are delighted to reach this landmark with a scheme worthy of this important strategic site.
He added: “The team has helped us to arrive at a viable and deliverable scheme that will regenerate a key strategic gateway in the West End of Leeds.”
The need for crane hire in Yorkshire is certainly showing no signs of slowing down with projects like this taking place in Leeds and transforming the skyline of a city that, despite a resident population of 812,000, has a comparatively low rise skyline when set against places like Manchester and Birmingham.
DLA is involved in that change, with its designs in Leeds including another project in the West End, the Lisbon Street development. This four-building, high rise project has been designed to include 629 build to rent apartments, 548 student beds, a 120-room aparthotel and 131,00 sq ft of Grade A office and retail space.
Leeds presently has three buildings of over 100 metres in height, all built in the 21st century, with more planned or under construction.