A £32m Hilton hotel looks set to be built near the new Leeds Arena this summer.
The five star 14-storey hotel, which would be built on land in Portland Crescent, would feature a top floor sky bar and create around 300 temporary jobs during its two-year construction.
The new Hilton is expected to create 100 permanent jobs when it opens in the summer of 2015.
Brandon Riley, director of hotels for Wakefield-based GB Group Holdings, which is behind the proposals, said securing funding for the hotel, for which plans have been approved, is at an “advanced stage”.
He said: “It’s going to transform what is currently a derelict gateway city centre site into a destination hotel and for me, it’s the logical expansion of the city centre core moving towards the new Leeds Arena.”
The development would be the third Hilton in Leeds, with sites including the premises in Neville Street and the Doubletree by Hilton, in Granary Wharf.
Mr Riley said: “I think the arena is a game changer for that part of the city and I think we are going to see lots of development happen within the arena quarter – as it’s fast becoming known.”
The Co-operative Bank is reportedly providing a part of the funding for the new hotel development through its corporate banking centre in Leeds.
A Hilton Worldwide spokesman said: “The Leeds Arena development is set further boost the city’s position as an attractive entertainment and retail destination.
“We have entered a conditional agreement with GB Group to develop a new property near this exciting location.”
Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for development, said: “This is further proof of the hugely positive affect of the Leeds arena, and a great sign of expansion and regeneration for this area of the city.”
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