Wates appointed to HMRC fit-out at Wellington Place

10 May 2021

News Construction Commercial Retail and the high street

Home News Wates appointed to HMRC fit-out at Wellington Place

Wates has been appointed to lead the fit-out of 7 & 8 Wellington Place on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who will move in upon completion.

The contractors construction of the multi-million pound building in Leeds new urban quarter will see HMRC and NHS Digital located in a new modern and flexible workspace in 2020.

HMRC is at the leading edge of the wider government hub strategy, delivering phase one of the Government Hubs Programme through its regional centres leading on delivering the future estate for government and enabling closer working with other government departments. The government hub, with HMRC as the largest occupier, will accommodate nearly 6,000 civil servants. HMRCs Leeds Regional Centre, located in this hub, will be one of HMRCs 13 regional centres across the UK, and is key to the departments wider transformation into a tax authority fit for the future.

With construction work at 7 & 8 Wellington Place scheduled for completion by the end of 2019, the fit-out of the new 378,000 sq. ft building will begin before Christmas and is due for completion by the end of 2020.

With a net area of 35,775 m², the fit-out will extend across all eight floors of Leeds newest large-scale building taking the existing Category A finish to a move-in ready state, whilst taking full advantage of the views across Wellington Place and the River Aire.

The fit-out will include the installation of sliding and glazed partitions, feature ceilings, enhanced mechanical and electrical systems, and 30,000m² of carpets, creating Grade A open plan office space with meeting rooms, print hubs and breakout areas.

The final phase is expected to be completed by November 2020, ready for HMRC to move in and establish its new base in Yorkshire. The move forms part of the Governments wider plans to build a strong Civil Service base across the UK.

The appointment adds to Wates extensive portfolio at the commercial development, which includes the completion of buildings 3, 5, 6 and 10 Wellington Place and the current construction of 4 Wellington Place on behalf of developer and asset manager, MEPC.

Having led on the construction for a number of sites in Leeds, Wates has played an important role in supporting the local community since works started. Throughout the construction of 7 & 8 Wellington Place, Wates introduced a number of projects, including launching a pilot employment scheme providing a much-needed boost to some of the areas most vulnerable and at-risk individuals. The site team also undertook a range of activities to tackle homelessness, including volunteering at St. Georges Crypt and implementing a pay it forward programme, where money donated was used to buy food vouchers, which were then distributed to homeless people across Leeds.