Bruntwood SciTech, the property platform dedicated to the growth of the innovation economy, has launched its latest innovation hub, West Village in Leeds city centre, following a £20 million redevelopment project.
Already 75% pre-let, West Village now offers 230,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace designed to help innovation thrive and stimulate collaborations between like-minded businesses. West Village provides a mix of coworking, serviced and leased spaces.
Cementing Leeds’ position as a leading technology hub – with Lloyds Bank naming it the fastest growing digital economy in the UK – businesses already confirmed to make West Village their home include global insurtech innovators QBE – who have located their robotics centre and technological development hub at West Village, Australian fintech company, PEXA, and coding bootcamp providers Northcoders.
The launch of West Village marks the culmination of an ambitious development project by Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund – that has completely reimagined the former site of West One and Castle House.
Improvements have been made to the building to reduce CO2 emissions, improve air quality, reuse rainwater, reduce noise and create new habitats for local birds and wildlife. As part of the redevelopment, the building has been fitted with high efficiency air source heat pumps, sensor technology to promote the use of natural ventilation, new windows and additional wall insulation.
The design of the new workspace also has sustainability and wellbeing at its heart, and is focused around an expansive new entrance space with shared lounge, breakout spaces, meeting rooms, a café operated by independent retailer Second City Coffee, art curated through a partnership with Leeds University students, and a central courtyard with expansive biophilia that will provide the city centre with much needed green space.
West Village also offers a new state-of-the-art wellness facility – RESET Leeds, operated by premium training brand FORM – a mindfulness contemplation room, nursing and expressing room, secure cycle storage, a sports kit drying room, and shower, changing and locker facilities.
Bruntwood SciTech has also announced the refurbishment completion of nearby workspace 14 King Street, part of the company’s city centre innovation cluster.
Andrew Cooke, Regional Director – Leeds for Bruntwood SciTech, said: “West Village is the culmination of a hugely ambitious and important redevelopment project for the city. Leeds has built a reputation as a leading technology ecosystem and for good reason, with hundreds of innovative businesses now calling the city home.
“So it’s crucial that we continue to provide forward-thinking workspaces to ensure that these businesses are set up for success here. West Village does just that and more, offering spaces that encourage collaboration, inspirational thinking, and a positive work-life balance.
“Having already built a successful ecosystem of tech-led businesses at nearby Platform, we are excited for West Village and 14 King Street to join and build this community, ultimately adding to Leeds’ burgeoning technology status.”
At West Village, Bruntwood SciTech partnered with Robertsons, Cubic Works, 3D Reid, I Want Plants and DWLLP while Ultimate Group carried out the works at 14 King Street. CBRE and Knight Frank support West Village while Cushman & Wakefield and Fox Lloyd Jones support 14 King Street.
