Homes at The Ironworks on sale but what is the future for city centre living in Leeds?

Design boost for Holbeck but will city centre living in Leeds suffer or thrive?
The Ironworks in Holbeck Urban Village is under constructionThe Ironworks in Holbeck Urban Village is under construction
The Ironworks in Holbeck Urban Village is under construction

It is truth universally acknowledged that thoughtful design was somewhat lacking or non-existent in some of the blocks that were built during the decade long apartment boom in Leeds city centre that ended with the financial crash in 2008.

Now, more natural light, flow, access to outdoor space and a sense of community are high on the agenda for many buyers and renters in the city core, especially now they know what it is like to be confined without these life-enhancing amenities almost 24/7 during a lockdown.

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It is why some developers will now be reassessing their offering and, if they are savvy, scrutinising those who are already leading the way with good design. Urban Splash was an early pioneer in 2007 when it regenerated two 1960s former council blocks to create Saxton, 410 apartments in six and a half acres of communal gardens and allotments on Leeds’ East Bank.

Maximising natural light was one of the main aims when designing homes at The IronworksMaximising natural light was one of the main aims when designing homes at The Ironworks
Maximising natural light was one of the main aims when designing homes at The Ironworks

More recently, CITU has won multiple awards for its exceptional and pioneering Climate Innovation District on the South Bank of Leeds city centre. A community has already been created and when the development is finished in about eight years time, it will have up to 800 zero carbon flats and houses, along with offices, leisure facilities, a primary school and a care home.

Now, The Ironworks in Holbeck Urban Village by PfP igloo has joined the party to show how city living should be done. Properties there have just gone on sale with Linley and Simpson with Morgans. The development will have 51 homes including one and two bedroom apartments, three bedroom penthouses and two and three-bedroom townhouses all designed by Nick Brown Architects. Clustered around a courtyard, the main building will be clad in red brick, a nod to the Victorian mill buildings in the area, and there will be contemporary details such as rusted Corten steel panels.

Eyebrows were raised when PfP igloo stated that the properties would be sold only to owner occupiers, rather than buy-to-let investors, but Hannah Massarella, PfP igloo development director, says: “This isn’t about profit, it’s about creating a community, which you don’t get with rentals and a transient population.”

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Prices range from £160,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £325,000 for a townhouse and there is no shortage of interest as the area is now regarded as hip after once being considered a no-go thanks to its grittiness and proximity to the red light district, which is now carefully managed,

Jonathan Morgan believes that the future of city living is brightJonathan Morgan believes that the future of city living is bright
Jonathan Morgan believes that the future of city living is bright

Plans to transform the former industrial sites into Leeds’s equivalent of Shoreditch began in 2011 when igloo spotted its appeal. Location was key. It is a 15 minute walk to Leeds train station and close to canal and riverside walks.

“We are an ethical and sustainable company and we like to buy on the wrong side of the tracks, where we can make a difference. We knew this could be a cool, creative district and Leeds needed that,” says Honor.

PfP igloo, whose motto is people, place and planet, first developed Marshall’s Mill and the Round Foundry estate to house creative businesses, start-ups, pubs and cafes, which they nurtured until selling the commercial premises three years ago. As igloo expected, those who work there are now reserving homes at The Ironworks.

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The design gives city dwellers what they now crave, including a space for home working, large windows to let in light and views and extra large balconies or decks and gardens. There will also be access to a new pocket park.

Even though there are fears city dwellers will now flee to suburbia or the country while deserting their city offices to work from home, Honor Massarella has no doubt that The Ironworks will be a best-seller attracting young professionals and empty nesters.

Jonathan Morgan of Morgans with Linley and Simpson, who helped pioneer city living in Leeds, agrees and believes that the post-Covid future looks bright for both the build to rent and build to sell sectors.

“I live in the city centre and I don’t think that city living in Leeds will suffer. It is a great place to be with easy access to green spaces. Young people in particular love it and I think there will be a gradual return to the offices over the next 12 to 18 months.”

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He adds that take-up for rentals is climbing rapidly with many agents enjoying their best ever month in August. Out of 2,000 properties managed by Morgans, there is only a five per cent void that is expected to shrink to its usual half a per cent by Christmas, which is good news for those building-to-rent.

The few apartments on the market that are not deemed unmortgageable because of unsafe cladding are selling quickly. “I don’t think the city centre market will be defined by lockdown but I do think it will encourage developers to consider better design,” says Jonathan. “What we really need is more developers like CITU and PfP igloo delivering great homes for owner occupiers.”

*For details of The Ironworks visit www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk and www.iglooregeneration.co.uk

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James Mitchinson

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