Leading developer and manager of residential for rent, Watkin Jones, has announced the approval of its plans to convert a vacant office block into 230 co-living homes.
Leeds City Council has approved Watkin Jones’ application to convert and repurpose Headrow House in the centre of the city. When completed in 2028, the project will deliver a supported communal living environment, offering high-quality managed homes for city-centre living and will help to address the demand for rental accommodation that continues to outstrip supply in Leeds.
The scheme will contribute to the regeneration of vacant buildings in the city centre and will retain retail units on the ground floor, helping to support local residents and businesses, while situated just a short walk from popular restaurants and shopping centres.
The co-living design supports the Group’s ESG strategy, emphasising reuse and energy efficiency, and will attain BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. The retrofit enhances thermal efficiency and air permeability, with electric heating for net zero carbon, energy-efficient windows and air source heat pumps. Photovoltaic panels, efficient lighting, and energy-saving controls will optimise performance. By reusing the building, the scheme will reduce embodied carbon by 78% and Watkin Jones will use sustainable landscaping throughout.
Importantly, the design will serve evolving residents’ needs and will include many social benefits. Headrow House will offer its occupiers a high-quality gym, shared kitchens and dining areas, a cinema, co-working lounge, library, laundry room and bicycle parking in addition to personal storage rooms.
Iain Smith, planning director at Watkin Jones, commented: “We are very excited to announce planning approval for Headrow House, our first co-living project in Leeds. Ranked the third largest city by population in the UK, Leeds is a vital commercial and residential centre, and we are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable co-living accommodation that will help to address the ongoing demand for rental homes in Leeds city centre.
“We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with Leeds City Council and our local communities to address this growing demand, while also supporting our ESG targets as a business.”
