News

Green light for Leeds co-living scheme

On behalf of Watkin Jones, we have helped secure approval for plans which will see a vacant office block in the centre of Leeds converted into 230 co-living homes.

Leeds City Council has approved plans for the conversion and re-purposing of Headrow House at 42 The Headrow, into 230 co-living homes.

We provided expert Planning services to Watkin Jones for their first co-living project in Leeds, which will serve the evolving residents’ needs and include many social benefits.

Headrow House is a vacant office block in the centre of Leeds. When completed in 2028, the project, designed by SWAP Architects, will deliver a supported communal living environment, offering high-quality managed homes for city centre living and will help to address the demand for rental accommodation that continues to outstrip supply in Leeds.

The project is a prime opportunity to restore and repurpose an historic building and contribute to the regeneration of vacant buildings in the city centre. The scheme will retain retail units on the ground floor, helping to support local residents and businesses and Headrow House will only be a short walk from popular restaurants and shopping centres.

Commenting on the approval, Chief Executive, Stephen Bell said:

“We are proud to have supported Watkin Jones in achieving this milestone for this innovative co-living scheme in central Leeds. Headrow House will bring much-needed, sustainable housing to the city centre whilst breathing new life into a landmark building. The project shows how we can sustainably enhance cities by repurposing existing spaces to meet evolving residential needs.” 

Iain Smith, Planning Director at Watkin Jones, commented:

"We are very excited to announce planning approval for Headrow House, our first co-living project in Leeds. Ranked the third largest city by population in the UK, Leeds is a vital commercial and residential centre, and we are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable co-living accommodation that will help to address the on-going demand for rental homes in Leeds city centre.

“We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with Leeds City Council and our local communities to address this growing demand, while also supporting our ESG targets as a business.”

The co-living design supports the Watkin Jones Group’s ESG strategy, emphasising reuse and energy efficiency, and attaining BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. The retrofit enhances thermal efficiency and air permeability, with electric heating for net zero carbon, energy-efficient windows, and air source heat pumps. Photovoltaic panels, efficient lighting, and energy-saving controls will optimise performance. By reusing the building, the scheme will reduce embodied carbon by 78% and Watkin Jones will use sustainable landscaping throughout.

Importantly, the design will serve evolving residents’ needs and will include many social benefits. Headrow House will offer its occupiers a high-quality gym, shared kitchens and dining areas, a cinema, co-working lounge, library, laundry room and bicycle parking in addition to personal storage rooms. The site offers excellent public transport links, located within a 300m walk from Leeds train station.

14 November 2024