A number of early CGIs have been released, unveiling an exclusive look at the next phase of the £400 million Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds.

The scheme is set to include a mixed-use community comprising of 1,050 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.

CEG, which is leading the project, has appointed a design development team for the next phase of 200,000 sq ft of commercial space at the site.

Nick Lee, development director at CEG, said: "This is the most ambitious project in the north of England and we wanted to build on the success of the first office development, which has achieved the highest quality of workspace and technical specification.

"The majority of the design development team are Leeds-based and understand how we are setting a new business destination on this historic site. We intend to harness CEG's understanding of what our customers need for their business to thrive and ensure we deliver that in a contemporary, flexible and unique way."

The team includes:

• Cooper Cromar architects

• Pierre Angulaire, project management

• Curtins, structural engineering


• Hoare lea, M&E engineer

• WYG, infrastructure

• Planit, landscape architecture

• Gardiner and Theobold, cost management

• Bureau Veritas, building control

• Fox Lloyd Jones, letting agents.

The first 110,000 sq ft office development at the site secured the prestigious British Council of Offices best Commercial Workplace award, as well as being named the UK's healthiest building by Property Week. Designed to a specification which exceeds most city centre products, it harnesses its unique setting, offering those within the building exceptional views across the riverside, wooded valley.

The top four floors of the building are now Zenith's headquarters, with the remaining three floors housing Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, Bupa, CEG and Butlers restaurant and bar.

With the next phase, Cooper Cromar architects have been challenged to deliver a bold, contemporary space, with active ground floor uses, flexible space that will appeal to headquarter occupiers, with open floor plates from 11,000 sq ft.

A dedicated car park will be concealed between the two new office buildings and electric car charging, a cycle spa, shower rooms and locker facilities will be provided within the building. Outdoor rooms and balcony features will help to maximise the wooded, riverside views. Masonry will reflect the commercial as well as the new residential elements on the site helping to blend the mix of uses being delivered across the 57-acre development.

Graham Forsyth, Director of Cooper Cromar, said: "It is exciting and challenging to be moving the award-winning first development to a new level. CEG is determined to push the benchmark set to date, delivering best-in-class and putting its customers at the heart of the design. We are designing a place that is suitable for small and large companies and offers a variety of spaces to work, meet and collaborate both indoors and out.

"This is not a mainstream development, we are capturing the unique character of the site and continuing to deliver something bold and contemporary, in a product which hasn't been seen before in this market. As a team we are working hard to deliver technical solutions to make this building even more sustainable, efficient, productive, healthy, future-proofed and digitally resilient."

(CM/JG)