Wates builds Wellington Place presence with appointment to MEPC’s government hub
Wates has been appointed to start work on 7 and 8 Wellington Place, which will see the contractor deliver 378,000 sq ft. of Grade A office space.
The announcement comes as MEPC has confirmed that the Government has chosen 7&8 Wellington Place as the location of its new regional hub in Yorkshire.
The contract adds to Wates’ portfolio at the commercial development, which includes the completion of buildings 10, 5 and 6 Wellington Place and the current construction of 3 Wellington Place.
Development of buildings 7 and 8 is the next step in MEPC’s masterplan to meet increasing demand for more office space in the city centre, with five of its buildings completed and occupied by a number of businesses.
Scheduled for completion in 2020, the 6,000 civil servants that will occupy the new government hub will be welcomed to Wellington Place’s thriving business community, one of the largest and most prestigious new city centre business quarters in Europe.
The buildings’ significant position on Whitehall Road will offer a prime city-centre location, easy access to the Leeds’ retail quarter and convenient transport links across the country via road and rail. In addition to its excellent working environment, employees will enjoy additional Wellington Place community benefits, including a workplace choir, onsite allotments, free bike hire and regular wellbeing and community events. The development also includes a wide selection of amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym, cafes, bars and restaurants, and extensive public space.
Paul Dodsworth, Business Unit Director, Yorkshire and North East, commented:
“It is a true testament to our team’s understanding and commitment to MEPC’s vision of delivering premium offices that we have been awarded the contract for 7 and 8 Wellington Place.
To be able to continue our partnership with MEPC in building a strong base for Leeds businesses and public sector bodies is incredibly rewarding. This new appointment further reinforces our position as the contractor of choice for commercial developments in the city.”
James Dipple, Chief Executive of MEPC, said:
“This is an exciting time for Wellington Place and we are thrilled to be chosen as the home for the new regional government hub. We look forward to welcoming our new occupiers to join our existing portfolio and, we believe, they will fit seamlessly into the well-established and active public realm at Wellington Place.
The Government’s decision to locate at Wellington Place, in the heart of Leeds, is great news for the city as it maintains its evolution as a key northern location for business. We are proud to be a part of its sustained development and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
