Ward Hadaway facilitates legal completion for Department Casino at Leeds Dock
22nd January, 2021
Legal contracts for the Department Casino at Leeds Dock development in the south east of the City were completed this week.
The 60,000 sq. ft. development by Allied London will see the redevelopment of the former Leeds Casino into offices and ancillary leisure uses and the creation of hundreds of jobs for the city.
Once the development has been completed, Department Casino is expected to become a hub for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) operators from small start ups to large established businesses. The building spans four floors providing flexible office space, private offices, screening rooms, satellite office functions, meeting and event spaces and a glass boardroom. Plans also include in-house wellness amenities, a cinema, clubhouse and roof terrace.
Ward Hadaway was appointed by Allied London to provide legal advice on the lease of the building and the change of use of the building to offices and ancillary leisure use.
The development of Leeds Dock by Allied London following its acquisition of the site in 2012, follows the already successful Spinningfields city centre development in Manchester, which comprises 4.6m sq ft and is home to 165 commercial organisations. Department Casino Leeds will add to the company’s already exciting portfolio.
Allied London, through its subsidiary, All Work & Social, will manage the TMT hub. All Work & Social operate a number of unique hospitality venues and inspiring workspaces across the UK that are designed to enhance work life balance.
Ward Hadaway advised Allied London while London-based lawyers advised London Clubs (the existing tenant of the former casino site) and Clarence Casino Limited (the superior landlord).
Christina Kettlewell, Associate in Ward Hadaway’s Real Estate Team, said: “We are delighted to have assisted on the legal completion for this exciting new development on behalf of our client Allied London. We have a long-standing relationship with Allied London and have acted for them in connection with their Spinningfields development in Manchester as well as the acquisition and subsequent development of Leeds Dock and the Malt House in Leeds.
“Despite the current economic climate, we are still completing major transactions like this and Department Casino will provide modern, quality workspace for a number of TMT businesses to help them grow and create hundreds of jobs for local people.
“This was quite a complex transaction with multiple partners involved and we used our expertise and knowhow to bring this to a successful conclusion for all parties involved. I would like to wish them every success for the future and we look forward to seeing how it develops over the next few years from our offices, which are not too far away.”
Elizabeth Peckett, Asset Director at Allied London, said: “Department Casino will be a great addition to Leeds Dock, adding critical mass to the work space choice in the area. It offers a diverse inventory of spaces for pioneering media and tech companies, and will provide new ways to network and collaborate with other occupiers such as Sky, Intermarketing and Journey Further. This is really exciting for Leeds Dock and brings a real feeling of enterprise.
“We’re an ever-evolving village: we have North Star Coffee Shop and Nova Bakehouse offering freshly roasted and baked refreshments, Yoga Hero offering up to 10 sessions a day, Primal Gym tailoring fitness and nutrition programmes, a newly refurbished hotel, the Royal Armouries museum, and open waterside spaces.”
Leeds Dock is a mixed-use development which continues to thrive and is also home to large organisations such as Sky and Channel 4. Located in the city centre, Department Casino is easily accessible with excellent transportation links. There are 1,600 car parking spaces available including bikes to hire and store and water taxis will transport commuters from Leeds train station via the River Aire.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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