Historic Leeds building which powered the city's industrial revolution set for new creative future

The Engine House, located in the South Bank of Leeds was previously used as a power source for Tower Works, the building responsible for developing the wool combing machines on which the pin-making business was formed.

Leeds City Council is now seeking expressions of interest from film and television post-production companies to take a lease on the grade two listed property and then work with the successful organisation to bring the property back into use.

The building retains a large part of the city’s heritage as ten medallions adorn the walls depicting significant contributors to the industrial revolution.

A number of interconnecting rooms make up this historic building with the actual Engine House, Economiser Room and Boiler House, all making up a great space for new facilities.

The South Bank is already home to over 500 creative and digital businesses along with a number of award winning independents and is seeing new businesses relocate to the area. Located just a five minute walk from Leeds Station, the busiest transport hub of the north, and the new Channel 4 headquarters at the Majestic, the Engine House is part of the ambitious development plans surrounding the South Bank, which include doubling the size of the city centre and bringing thousands of new homes and jobs to Leeds as well as a new city park.

In the near future the council will commit significant funding (which has already been secured externally) to refurbish the internal and external fabric of the building, along with developing services such as power, data, water, drainage, heating and ventilation and then will work with the successful applicant to develop the rest of the building.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said "It’s fantastic to be able to bring such a historically important building in Leeds back into use and provide this new opportunity to the TV and film sector.

"With this ever growing sector and with Channel 4 coming to the city later this year, we are keen to support and work with companies to open up opportunities to help businesses work and expand within the city with the right spaces.

"The regeneration of the South Bank of Leeds brings ambition and opportunity together in an area which is moving forward apace with the new City Park plans and the start of builds on over a thousand new homes."

Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire said: ‘’The independent production sector in Yorkshire has never been healthier following ten years of unprecedented growth. and we are thrilled that Leeds City Council has recognised the important contribution that enhanced post-production facilities can make to continued development of the sector.’’

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the NP11 said: “It’s great to see the historic Engine House repurposed for our new digital and creative age. It will be a significant facility that will support the Channel 4 supply chain and our growing screen industries’ ecosystem.”

Regeneration in and around this area of South Bank is already ongoing, with the Tower Works site now largely cleared and poised to be redeveloped by Richardson to provide a mix of residential and commercial spaces directly adjacent to the Engine house.

Adjacent to the Tower Works site a major redevelopment is already underway with new commercial and residential opportunities being built. Contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine are currently on site constructing 250 residential flats.