Landmark Leeds City Centre Building Set To Be Redeveloped
A significant building in Leeds city centre has been acquired by developers. Insider Media reports that Bank House on the corner of King Street and Park Place was formerly the regional headquarters of the Bank of England, and has now been bought by the Yorkshire Property company Rushbond.
Planning permission has already been given for the refurbishment of the Grade II listed building. It was designed and built by the Building Design Partnership between 1969 and 1971 in the European Brutalist style.
This is a form of architecture that emerged during the 1950s, and combines massive forms, rough surfaces, unusual shapes, and minimalist designs. It commonly features exposed concrete or brick, and makes use of contrasting textures and materials.
During the 1960s, a key element of Brutalism was béton brut, which is raw concrete with patterns created through boardmaking to replicate wooden shuttering. However, Bank House in Leeds is clad in Cornish granite. The new owners plan to fully restore the exterior of the building as well as upgrade the interior to create premium office space.
Richard Baker, from Rushbond, said: “Bank House has an incredible history and we welcome the opportunity to secure the future of this landmark building. There is a huge demand for premium office space in the city, and at the top of tenants’ requirements are meeting their sustainability targets.”
“At Rushbond we believe it is clearly more sustainable to breathe new life into an existing building.”
“By doing so we’re not only protecting some of the city’s most important assets, but we’re also offering future tenants the unique opportunity to be located in an energy efficient, contemporary space filled with character and integrity. We look forward to sharing more plans for the building in the future.”
Jonathan Maud, chairman at Rushbond, added: “Leeds is an incredible city within a vibrant Yorkshire and we are excited to continue to invest within its built environment and look forward to providing a very significant, substantial and newly envisioned workplace from 2026.”
Rushbond have previously restored the Majestic Leeds building, which was once an Odeon Cinema and is now the northern headquarters for Channel 4, and also the iconic Grade I listed Leeds Corn Exchange. The building is home to a diverse range of independent shops and also provides space for artists, craftspeople, cooks, and other creatives.
Rushbond worked with Leeds City Council to design and create a world class interior, based on the original geometric patterns and unique lines of the building. The inside and outside space were given greater cohesion through a new layout that flowed into the garden, paving and seating areas.
The Cornucopia mural by Grame Wilson near the Corn Exchange is a familiar city centre landmark and has become more fully integrated into the redesigned building.
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