Caddick lines up revamp at extended Rose Wharf
Having turned the grade two-listed Leeds flax mill into offices in the late 1990s, the developer has acquired the neighbouring building, to expand its offer by 15,000 sq ft.
Caddick redeveloped Rose Wharf alongside Prose Investments from 1996, the property specialist undertaking a £4.6m transformation into riverside offices, which have housed a range of tenants over the ensuing years.
The Yorkshire property group now plans to reinvigorate the building, “giving it a new look and creating a sustainable path into the future” while preserving heritage features including barrel-vaulted ceilings, cast iron columns and internal stonework.
Following a long partnership, Caddick has now acquired from Prose the adjacent Admiral House, which comprises 15,750 sq ft. The two buildings are connected through a modern glazed lift lobby.
Caddick said the space will allow it to offer flexible office, as well as options for existing tenants who might wish to expand.
The four upper floors in the main building offer floorplates of 7.245 sq ft each, totalling close to 29,000 sq ft. Factoring in ground and lower ground floors, the total lettable space will be 50,890 sq ft of flexible space.
Leeds-based interiors specialist Design Tonic is working on the project. Refurbishment works are set to start on site in late 2024 and the building’s spaces, ranging from 400 sq ft to 35,140 sq ft, will be available for leasing from early 2025. Rose Wharf, across the water from the Royal Armouries complex, offers 109 car parking spaces with EV charging points.
The refurbishment programme will include a new business lounge with an independent café, fitted shared workspaces, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Canal.
Hollie Shackleton, senior asset and development manager at Caddick Developments, said: “Rose Wharf is much more than an office building, it’s a bold reimagination of a waterfront location that creates usable and relaxing spaces for a variety of businesses, fuelling a dynamic, positive and productive working environment.
“The future here is exciting and we’re looking forward to welcoming new occupiers when the scheme completes.”
Powell Rose of Prose Developments, said: “After several decades in the family company ownership, and many years of collaboration with Caddick, who have been a skilled and trusted partner throughout, we wish them well with the next phase of this iconic Leeds building.
“In full Caddick ownership, these will be very exciting times for Rose Wharf. We look forward to seeing the building blossom and flourish through this new round of investment.”
Rose Wharf was transformed in the late 1990s. Credit: via Social
Active travel will be supported with a cycle storage hub and showers. Caddick is aiming to bring the building up to a low E[C B rating, introducing solar PV panels, air source heat pumps and returning natural ventilation.
Fox Lloyd Jones and Carter Towler have been appointed as agents.
Nick Salkeld, director at FLJ, said: “We’ve long admired Rose Wharf and are thrilled to be part of the team breathing a new lease of life into the building. It’s an iconic piece of Leeds architecture and a symbol of the city’s inspiring regeneration.
“Our vision is to deliver a new community-led workplace with unrivalled communal facilities set within a unique period riverside building boasting beautifully restored original features.”
As well as bringing forward a host of apartments at Soyo, Caddick is also now advancing South Village in Leeds, which could see upward of 1,900 homes delivered along with 650,000 sq ft of business space. A deal was announced at UKREiiF 2024 to accelerate delivery of the £1bn masterplan.
