Bond Court Becomes The Destination In Leeds

August 5, 2014 – 9:39 am

Espresso bar and cantina, La Bottega Milanese, is the latest high quality eatery to open its doors onto the refurbished Bond Court square.

The company has taken 1085 sq ft in Wilton Developments’ 2 Bond Court. The company is set to offer artisan coffees, patisserie and continental snacks to the thousands of customers passing through the only pedestrianized plaza in the heart of Leeds’ Central Business District.

The square is located between Park Row, Greek Street, East Parade and Infirmary Street. Overlooked by the proposed new £12 million Dakota boutique hotel, founded by Malmaison creator Ken McCulloch, La Bottega Milanese lies adjacent to the popular Bond Court petanque pitch, chess board and seating area, which itself has undergone recent investment and improvement by Leeds City Council and Wilton Developments.

Jason Stowe from Wilton Developments said; “Bond Court square has undergone a renaissance. We have realised our joint investment with Leeds City Council as it has encouraged occupiers and visitors to embrace the environment, creating a bustling plaza and a genuine high quality destination for businesses.”

La Bottega Milanese secured the Best Café Bar at the Oliver industry awards and was the first late night espresso bar to open in the city. Founder Alex Galantino said: “This development complements our cantina in The Light and will be an oasis for busy office workers and visitors to escape and enjoy the exceptionally fine quality coffees our team of baristi creates.”

2 Bond Court offers 12,200 sq ft of exceptionally high quality office space over five floors, available in suites of 1,000 sq ft upwards. Since its multimillion pound refurbishment it has become home to Liberty Mutual Insurance, Directorbank and Costa Coffee. DTZ and WSB are joint agents on the office element of the scheme and Pudney Shuttleworth secured the deal on the ground floor retail accommodation.

June 2014

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Bond Court Refurbishment Works Completed

October 23, 2013 – 3:59 pm

Work to upgrade and refurbish Bond Court in Leeds City Centre has now been completed.

The project funded jointly by Leeds City Council and property developers Midland House Ltd has seen the area being repaved in granite, six new trees planted and new seating has now been provided. The petanque pitch has been retained and chess boards have been incorporated into the new seating area.

****MEDIA  OPPORTUNITY*****

All media are invited to a photo opportunity at 8.30am on Friday 25th October at Bond Court to see the completed scheme. Cllr Richard Lewis and Jason Stowe of Wilton Developments will be available for interviews and pictures.

****MEDIA  OPPORTUNITY*****

It is hoped that the work is the first step of a wider refurbishment of Bond Court, which may involve an extension of the high quality granite paving throughout the whole square, to complement proposed redevelopments of nearby buildings.

The work is part of Leeds City Council’s continued drive to ensure the city centre is an attractive destination for visitors and businesses. Work has also been completed on the busy Dortmund Square on The Headrow.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member for development and the economy said:

“This scheme is a good example of how to achieve improvements to the city centre in a testing economic climate through working with the private sector to bring about refurbishments.

“By using really high quality materials in this scheme, we have set the standard for the next phase of the refurbishment of the area.

“Bond Court has the potential to be a real asset for the city centre’s business district and a genuine high quality destination for businesses”

Jason Stowe, managing director of Leeds based Wilton Developments said:

“Bond Court is a very important square for the city, being only one of a few office plaza’s in Leeds where the buildings are not separated from the public space of the square by traffic.

“The Square has so much more to offer its occupants and people using the Square, which we feel with a little investment can be realised. It is our intention to encourage other owners and occupiers to embrace the Square rather than backing on to it. As a forward thinking investor, Midland House see the advantage of investing private monies in to publicly owned space for the benefit of all.”

 

Photo – Groundwork

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Bond Court to receive facelift this summer

May 17, 2013 – 12:31 pm

Bond Court in the city centre of Leeds will be refurbished and upgraded later this year.

Leeds City Council in partnership with building owner Midland House Ltd (advised by Wilton Developments), will fund the project which will see the square located between Park Row, Greek Street, East Parade and Infirmary transformed into a new office plaza space.

The project will involve planting six new trees, repaving part of the square in granite and providing high-quality seating. The Petanque Pitch is to be retained and chess boards are to be incorporated into the new seating area.

Groundwork Leeds has been appointed as the Landscape Architect and contract administrator with work expecting to begin on the site in June.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member for development and the economy said:

“The council is delighted to be working in partnership with Wilton Developments to bring about the refurbishment of the square. This is a good example of improving the public realm for our residents and visitors.”

“The square is one of the city centre’s promotional & event spaces and the work that is being carried out will provide a fantastic new space for this part of the city and breathe new life into it.”

Jason Stowe, managing director of Leeds based Wilton Developments said:

“Bond Court is a very important square for the city, being only one of a few office plaza’s in Leeds where the buildings are not separated from the public space of the square by traffic.”

“The Square has so much more to offer its occupants and people using the Square, which we feel with a little investment can be realized. It is our intention to encourage other owners and occupiers to embrace the Square rather than backing on to it. As a forward thinking investor, Midland House see the advantage of investing private monies in to publicly owned space for the benefit of all.”

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Private equity recruiters Directorbank joins growing list of occupiers at 2 Bond Court

May 1, 2012 – 11:37 am

The Leeds office of DTZ, part of UGL Services, a division of UGL Limited (ASX: UGL), has successfully completed a letting at Wilton Developments’ 2 Bond Court office scheme to Directorbank, the leading provider of executive, non-executive and interim directors to the private equity industry.

The company has taken 1,480 sq ft of space on the first floor of the building on a five year lease. DTZ acted on behalf of Wilton Developments, whilst Edward Symmons represented Directorbank.

Wilton Developments purchased the property, formerly known as Midland House, in September 2010 and recently completed a major refurbishment and modernisation programme to deliver 15,250 sq ft of Grade A office space, with individual suites available from 1,000 sq ft.

<>The refurbishment works included, a new modern reception with video phone entry system, a 13 person lift, comfort cooling, gym quality changing rooms, stores and bicycle rack at basement level and contemporary designed toilets.

Eamon Fox, Associate Director at DTZ in Leeds, commented: “2 Bond Court is a great example of how a substantial refurbishment has helped to breathe new life into a building and attract high profile occupiers seeking centrally located, quality accommodation. The scheme is now well placed to meet demand for Grade A accommodation in Leeds city centre, in particular demand from smaller occupiers who are seeking an alternative to expensive serviced accommodation.”

Ken Brotherston, Executive Chairmanat Directorbank Group, said of the move: “2 Bond Court immediately caught our attention due to its prime location in Leeds’ central business district, the availability of high quality accommodation and access to our client base.”

Richard Corby of Edward Symmons added: “2 Bond Court has quickly established itself as a prestigious business location, attracting high calibre occupiers. Following an exhaustive search of premises within the city centre, the scheme came out as the clear choice for Directorbank.”

The latest letting to Directorbank follows a flurry of recent deals at the scheme, including insurance firm, Liberty Mutual, whilst Costa Coffee has also taken occupation of the ground floor of the building.

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Another new tenant at 2 Bond Court

March 1, 2012 – 6:19 pm

2 Bond Court, one of the only speculative office schemes to be completing in Leeds this year, has secured another new tenant.

Insurance firm Liberty Mutual Insurance has agreed a deal for the entire top floor of the Wilton Developments scheme taking 2,440 sq ft on a 10 year lease.

John Dakin, head of Leeds office at Liberty Mutual Insurance, adds: “We looked long and hard to find the right office and 2 Bond Court ticked all of our requirements.

“Initially the office was due to open last year but we took the decision to wait for 2 Bond Court’s completion as it was the superior choice and will provide office space I know our new team will look forward to working in.”

This announcement comes in quick succession to Costa Coffee signing for a unit on the ground floor just last month.

Eamon Fox, associate director at DTZ who acted for Wilton Developments commented: “The deal means Liberty Mutual will open an office for the first time in Leeds, it’s exciting times as they create new jobs in the city. I am sure 2 Bond Court will act as a catalyst for the attraction and retention of new staff, given its position within the central professional core in Leeds and the exemplary design of the building.”

Formally known as Midland House and previously occupied by HSBC, 2 Bond Court is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and revitalisation programme, which is due to complete shortly.

Jason Stowe, managing director of Wilton Developments comments: ‘We are pleased to welcome Liberty Mutual to our latest building, this comes on the back of our recent letting to Costa Coffee, which provides a useful amenity to the building and Bond Court itself. We are experiencing high levels of interest in the office space, which we feel is fairly unique in its offer in the Leeds City Office Core.”

2 Bond Court will deliver 12,200 sq ft of quality grade A office accommodation over five floors, offering individual suites of 1,000 sq ft upwards and one retail unit remains on the ground floor. The development follows in quick succession to Wilton Developments BCO award winning 10 South Parade, Leeds which is now 85 per cent let within one year of practical completion.

DTZ and Knight Frank are joint agents on the office element of the scheme and Pudney Shuttleworth is appointed to market the ground floor retail accommodation.

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Costa Coffee signs new lease at 2 Bond Court

February 16, 2012 – 6:18 pm

2 Bond Court, one of the only speculative schemes to be completing in Leeds this year, has secured a pre-let deal to Costa Coffee.

Costa Coffee has agreed a deal for part of the ground floor retail element of Wilton Developments latest scheme.

Formally known as Midland House and previously occupied by HSBC, 2 Bond Court is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and revitalisation programme, which will complete later this month.

James Scott of Wilton Developments comments: ‘We are really pleased to welcome such a high end coffee establishment into our scheme. Costa is a great operator who will bring a fantastic amenity to both future occupiers of 2 Bond Court and those located nearby.

“This new unit for Costa will benefit from a solid footfall through Bond Court generated by the traditional office core of the city and will be an important factor in the massive transformation that the building is undergoing.”

Caroline Midgley, Acquisitions Manager, at Costa adds: “The location, the quality of the refurbishment and potential trade made the deal an attractive proposition and we were naturally keen to secure the opportunity. Our new Costa at 2 Bond Court will follow in quick succession to our newly opened Briggate store and will go a long way to complement our existing nine stores across Leeds.”

James concludes: “The deal means one retail unit of around 1,085 sq ft remains on the ground floor which I’m confident will let quickly given the obvious draw that Costa will bring to the building; we are already talking to a number of interested parties.”

In addition to retail space 2 Bond Court will deliver 12,200 sq ft of quality grade A office accommodation over five floors, offering individual suites of 1,000 sq ft upwards. The development follows in quick succession to Wilton Developments BCO award winning 10 South Parade, Leeds which is now 85 per cent let within one year of practical completion.

DTZ and Knight Frank are joint agents on the office element of the scheme and Pudney Shuttleworth is appointed to market the ground floor retail accommodation.

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Wilton commence second city centre office redevelopment

February 7, 2012 – 5:46 pm

Wilton Developments is on site with its second speculative development in Leeds City Centre

Formerly known as Midland House, and previously occupied by HSBC, 28 Bond Court was bought by Wilton Developments in September last year and will now undergo major refurbishment and modernisation.

When complete in September 2011, it will deliver 15,250 sq ft of quality Grade A office and retail space to the Leeds market. Planning permission is expected soon on the ground floor retail elements of the scheme.

In quick succession to the success of Wilton Developments’ 10 South Parade – Leeds’ only speculative office development of 2010 which is now more than 50% pre-let – 28 Bond Court will provide smaller occupiers with an opportunity to lease high quality contemporary office space in the heart of the Central Business District.

Eamon Fox, associate director of DTZ’s Office Agency Team, in Leeds, commented: “The property will deliver individual suites of 1,000 sq ft upwards, which will give occupiers – in particular smaller companies – a quality alternative to expensive serviced accommodation.

“There is no shortage of Grade A accommodation within Leeds City Centre for larger occupiers, although smaller occupiers are forced to either occupy serviced accommodation or in many cases occupy accommodation not reflective of their aspirations. 28 Bond Court will offer wonderful alterative, small suites of an exemplary standard in a prime location.”

James Scott, development manager at Wilton Developments, commented “We have seen a gap in supply for true high quality accommodation in Leeds for small to medium sized firms and that is where 28 Bond Court will come into its own.

“We will have floorplates of 2,500 sq. ft and will be able to offer occupiers small suites to meet the needs of their business. We will deliver the best in office design, without compromising on quality. We will be onsite on Monday 7th February to commence stripping out works, with a view to delivering the scheme during September 2011.”

Richard Shuttleworth, director at Pudney Shuttleworth added: “We have set aside the ground floor of the building for retail use and given current interest, it is envisaged a high end coffee house or delicatessen type occupier will be secured shortly. There is excellent pedestrian footfall past this centrally located building and we watch with interest as the development takes shape.”

DTZ and Knight Frank are acting as joint letting agent, with Pudney Shuttleworth appointed to market the ground floor retail space.

Wilton’s 10 South Parade is a 36,350 sq ft office development that is also undergoing an extensive refurbishment, re-build and revitalisation programme, which will result in Leeds’ first Grade A+ city centre office scheme.

Wilton Developments has already secured a pre-let of 9,400 sq. ft to Xafinity Consulting; 3,200 sq ft of second floor office space to Odgers Berndtson and 2,640 sq ft on the top floor to Lockton Insurance at a new Leeds record rent of £28psf.

With its most recent letting to Lockton, the scheme is now 50% pre-let, with completion of the whole scheme due this month.

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