Leeds Landmark Secures New Tenant

The firm, will take close to 55,000 sq ft on the seventh and eighth floors of M&G Real Estates/Roydhouse Properties' Central Square, which began construction in June 2014.

PwC will move to Central Square after 20 years at its current office in Benson House.

Arif Ahmad, PwC's senior office partner in Leeds, said: ""Central Square will be the city's most iconic building. The modern design, location, retail and leisure facilities, as well as the Sky Garden, will provide a first class working environment for our people, and will be somewhere we are proud to welcome clients.""

Ian Morrison, PwC's Yorkshire and North East regional leader, added: ""We are very proud to be anchoring this significant development in Leeds. The city is undoubtedly more optimistic than a couple of years ago and with cranes in the skyline there is definitely a revival in development, with Central Square kick starting investment in the west of the city.""

The site was bought in 2013 by Roydhouse Properties, the property investment vehicle of Clipper Logistics executive chairman Steve Parkin and Bonmarch� founder Gurnaik Chima.

Marrico Asset Management is the developer of the scheme, working with Roydhouse and M&G which has now fully funded the �100m project.

Steve Parkin, who holds a range of investments through his Knaresbrough Investments vehicle, as well as retaining significant stake in Clipper Logistics, said: ""Gurnaik Chima and I are delighted to have led the Central Square project.

""For many years, Leeds saw very little significant city centre development and we are pleased that Central Square will create a truly iconic landmark in the city. It was particularly important to us that we created a building that would enhance the commercial infrastructure of Leeds.""

Mark Barnes, of Marrico Asset Management, confirmed the project was ahead of target. Steel work is now up to the eighth floor and the fa�ade will be commencing shortly. Completion of the building will be in the summer of 2016.

The scheme, designed by Leeds architects DLA will rise to eight floors on the Wellington Street side, with an additional three floors on the Whitehall road side of the site.

The two blocks will be linked by a sloped glass curtain to create a large winter garden and atrium in the main reception. On the ninth floor, there will be a Sky Garden, available to occupiers within the building, which will provide commanding views of the city.