Leeds Office Building Conversion Starts Work

The latest project in the Arena Quarter of Leeds city centre is getting under way, with a 1960s office building being transformed into a residential development with 168 rental apartments.

Fairfax House will be converted by locally-based property firm YPP, with Colbre Projects carrying out construction work on the transformation of the block, whch is located on the corner of Merrion Street.

In addition to revamping the existing seven-storey stricture with 154 new apartments, a further 14 will be added through a two-storey extension. Work is expected to be finished next year.

Such developments can offer significant advantages to developers and investors, as they take less time than complete demolition, remediation and rebuild schemes. The use of mesh reinforcements in Leeds may be deployed to help strengthen existing buildings to enable their rooftops to be modified or expanded in this way or for other purposes.

Describing Fairfax House as an “iconic” building, a spokesperson for YPP said the area around the Arena Quarter is “currently benefitting from a huge amount of new development, as well as numerous new and completed tall building projects, which all enhances the vibrancy of the area.”

The tall buildings in the vicinity include the loftiest in Leeds, the 114 metre (374 ft) Altus House, which was completed last year.

However, there may be more to come after a planning application was submitted last month for two new student accommodation towers of 17 and 38 storeys in height respectively.

Developer Downing is seeking to provide 1,200 flats for students via the scheme, which will also include anew mixed-use events and conference centre with 20,000 sq ft of floor space, a 900-seat auditorium and 1,700 sq ft of breakout or seminar space.

Project director at Downing George Tyson said:  “Our proposals will add high-quality new living spaces in the heart of the city, close to its esteemed academic institutions.”