New details have emerged about the student accommodation and new retail store that could replace House of Fraser in Leeds city centre.
Plans have been submitted to convert 140-142 Briggate into a new development that will be named Grand Central Place after the Grand Central Hotel which occupied the site in the early 20th Century.
The proposed scheme includes two floors of retail and nine storeys of “modern” student accommodation comprising 131 self-contained studios and 47 cluster flats across 178 units.
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Communal areas and shared living space will be provided throughout the building.
Grand Central Place will also maintain retail space on Briggate, with a renewed retail offer, across the basement and ground floor.
The scheme has been brought forward by Dukelease, under their development brand, Manner and they say Grand Central Place will be built to the “highest standards of architectural design, drawing upon a design philosophy that respects the heritage of the area, creating a modern and attractive building with sustainability at its heart.”
The project team supporting Manner include planning consultants Spawforth’s and project architects Corstorphine and Wright.
In December 2021, members of the public were invited to have their say on the proposals and provided feedback on the design, layout of the building, the importance of retaining a renewed retail offer, and questions about the provision of student accommodation on the site.
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Richard Lustigman, Managing Director at Manner, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to provide their feedback on our plans, we have been encouraged by the responses we’ve received and the level of engagement in the local community. We are grateful for the constructive feedback which has allowed us to continue to develop our plans and bring forward a scheme which has been designed to the highest of standards.
“We’re proud to be bringing forward a scheme which provides safe, modern, and comfortable accommodation for students in Leeds, and protects the retail legacy of this site on Briggate. The plans we have submitted will futureproof the site’s retail offer, securing an active and vibrant future for this development in the heart of the city.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the local community as our project progresses. Our ambition is to deliver a scheme which contributes to this great city’s economic recovery, provides a high-quality home for our young people during their university studies, and creates a development which the community can be proud of.”
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