Rush to buy as apartments go on sale at the Climate Innovation District in Leeds

Pioneering Leeds-based developer Citu has proved that a thoughtful and sustainable approach to building pays off after selling a fifth of apartments at its Climate Innovation District on the day they were released for sale.

The award-winning firm, which is miles ahead of traditional volume builders in terms of innovation, energy efficiency and great design, has already won awards for the eco-friendly townhouses, shared areas and the community it has created in the new district, which is by the river on the edge of Leeds city centre. The Aire Lofts apartment scheme consists of 108 mainly one and two-bedroom flats, with a handful of penthouses all of which will be owner occupied rather than bought to let.

Prices range from £150,000 for a one-bedroom home to £317,000 for a duplex, which are set around open, shared spaces, including a large central green, designed to bring residents together and create a vibrant community. Interiors offer a high-quality finish with polished concrete floors, exposed pipework and maximum natural light creating a "less but better", stripped back aesthetic.

Citu’s in-house design team has maximised the space of the apartments by removing barriers and eliminating corridors to create spacious, airy and bright rooms with dual aspect views of Leeds cityscape. With well-being always at the forefront of Citu developments. Every apartment has a Juliet balcony and south-facing windows to maximise natural light and fresh air and green space abundant with plants will surround the building.

When complete, the Climate Innovation District will be the UK’s biggest sustainable urban development. The 15-acre site, which will eventually hold 800 houses and apartments and over 25,000 sq ft of open green space. With well-being at the forefront of Citu developments, the site and its streets are vehicle-free with cars tucked away in a car park at the back of the site.

Citu homes also use a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system, which transfers the heat generated by the home to incoming fresh air, maintaining a constant flow of fresh air, whilst keeping heat locked in. More than 90% of heat is transferred, so heating requirements and costs are up to ten times lower than an average UK home. The combination of airtightness and a constant flow of fresh, filtered air from the MVHR system means the air quality in Aire Lofts is up to four times better than a conventional house.

Jonathan Wilson, development director at Citu, said: “I’m delighted that work is now underway on Aire Lofts. This an exciting and pivotal moment for the district which will see a new and exciting chapter begin. We are proud of the boundaries we have pushed without compromising on the design or performance, ensuring these are perfect homes for the future. There is already a tight-knit and friendly community that will continue to grow as their new neighbours arrive at Aire Lofts who will share the same commitment to living a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.”

Jonathan Morgan, city centre specialist at Linley & Simpson with Morgans who are agents for the scheme, adds: “Aire Lofts offer unusual living spaces for all sorts of aspirational home-makers, from first-time buyers to couples and young families who want to enjoy all that city living has to offer along with benefits of the latest sustainable technologies. The established and high-quality outdoor spaces and access to the riverside will be a huge support for residents’ personal and mental well-being which are increasingly relevant in our busy world.”

The first homes at Aire Lofts are available to reserve now and are expected to be occupied from winter 2021 onwards. Visit www.citu.co.uk for details. To remove the need for an in-person viewing, those interested in an Aire Loft can view 3D tours of the two bedroom and one bedroom flats.