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Number One Kirkstall Forge, Great Exhibition Way, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds
Number One Kirkstall Forge is acting as the spearhead for the transformation of the UK’s oldest continually industrialised UK site into a thriving mixed-use community. The seven-storey building is in the first phase of an ambitious £400m development which will comprise 1,050 new homes and a 300,000 sq ft office campus along with shops, restaurants, a gym, crèche and other facilities in a peaceful wooded waterside setting.
The site’s first commercial building has been boldly conceived as a product which doesn't currently exist in the surrounding market - a city centre quality, grade A commercial workspace. It has been adapted to respond to evolving working practices in a rural location and sets a high standard in contemporary workplace design, subtly re-interpreting the site’s natural setting, delivering a truly unique office environment. This was an audacious move in such a traditional industrial setting and will help reposition the site and set the tone for the remaining commercial phases.
As well as achieving EPC ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ accreditation, this development is the first Yorkshire building to secure ‘Platinum’ certification by the digital connectivity rating company Wired Score. A site wide transport plan has been introduced, alongside new bus services and enhanced footpath and cycleway connectivity, there is a car share scheme and cycle and scooter hire available for business/lunchtime trips. Tireless effort from the development team has been rewarded with a successful rail bid to secure Department for Transport support for a new rail station.
The project is one of the largest and most inspiring regeneration projects in the north of England, and potentially the UK. This building has met its demanding expectations, by intertwining placemaking, industrial heritage, sustainability, cultural values and quality. Though always with the principles of a workplace at the core of the decision-making process.
The developer has engaged with the wider public at all levels and used varied communication techniques to re-immerse the site, culturally and socially, back into the local community. This building has set the tone for future development on the site and created a sense of place, delivering a new and exciting lease of life for Kirkstall Forge.
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