Global Mutual presses on with St Johns Centre office-to-resi

Working with Patron Capital, the developer has lodged plans to convert office space to more than 280 student bedrooms in Leeds city centre.

The submission follows a consultation process last month. Under the plans, the development vehicle would deliver 287 student bedrooms, arranged as either studios or cluster bedrooms.

The central courtyard of the shopping centre, currently used as car parking, would be transformed into a private roof garden.

Global Mutual said that the public consultation showed a response in favour of repurposing the St Johns space, with 70% of respondents thinking St Johns to be a good location for student living – there are various similar schemes advancing in the surrounding streets.

Around 25 retailers trade from the lower two floors of the Merrion Street building.

The courtyard parking area will be transformed. Credit: via Cavendish

Senior development manager at Global Mutual, Brett Radley, said: “We’re delighted to have submitted our change of use application for the office space at St Johns Centre, to convert this into new, high-quality student accommodation. This part of the city has been increasingly popular for the development of new specialist student accommodation, given its proximity to university campuses and access to city centre amenities.

“Our consultation process revealed strong support for the proposals and I’d like to thank all those who participated. Sustainability is central to our plans for St Johns Centre and I’m delighted that the vast majority of people who responded to our consultation backed our approach to repurpose the existing building, rather than demolish it and starting again.

“The creation of a new student community within the St Johns Centre, would support retailers at the centre, increasing customer footfall for them and providing a new customer base from within the same building.”

Patron and Global Mutual bought the centre in December 2021.