Vastint reveals Tetley proposals

Details have been released outlining the Aire Park developer’s plans for the landmark Leeds building, which is to close as an art gallery and events space next month.

Vastint UK, the developer behind Aire Park, the 24-acre mixed-use district on Leeds’ South Bank, said that it intends for 13,000 sq ft of office space to feature along with food, drink and event spaces at basement and ground floor level.

The art deco façade will be retained in a project designed by Enjoy Design and Supervene.

Vastint’s plans are now available to view in a public consultation at the gallery and online at the Aire Park website.

The plans also show roof terraces, a new cellar bar and restaurant, and the retention of features including the war memorial and Tetley Boardroom.

Vastint said that the fully revitalised Tetley Building, which it acquired from Carlsberg in 2022, will be the crown jewel and focal point for the Aire Park district, which includes a new 8.6-acre city park, up to 1,400 news homes and 900,000 sq ft of office space.

Charity Project Space Leeds announced at the start of October it would be leaving in December, after operating the building as a gallery for 10 years. The last exhibition has now finished, with previously booked private events taking place before the doors close on 17 December.

The developer is welcoming comments until 22 December with a planning application expected early in 2024. The proposed plans include:

• The basement level being transformed into a bar and restaurant area and opened up to the public for the first time in the building’s history
• The ground floor to feature a new food hall as well as new amenities including Changing Places facilities
• Event space and a business lounge at first floor level
• Office space will appear on the second and third floors of the building
• An extension will be added to the eastern façade of the building, which had formerly been connected to other buildings within the brewery complex.

The building will be brought up to modern sustainability standards.

Simon Schofield, head of development North at Vastint UK, said: “The Tetley is an iconic building within Leeds and we’re excited to finally reveal our plans for its future.

“As custodians of this important piece of the city’s history, we have been working hard with our architects Supervene and Enjoy Design, Leeds City Council and others to look not just at how we preserve this beautiful building but continue its evolution and ensure it remains at the heart of both Aire Park and Leeds’ South Bank for another 100 years.

Enjoy and Supervene are the architects. Credit: Virtual Planit

“Our plans aim to create a variety of spaces within the building including public amenities such as a Changing Places facility, food and drink opportunities and event spaces, whilst continuing the building’s history of being a place of business, with new office space.

“Everyone is excited to work on this project not only because of what it brings to Aire Park, but also because of the important role this building has and will continue to play in the story of Leeds. We’d like to think that Joshua Tetley would be impressed by what has become of the site he purchased for £402 in 1822.”

Michael Westlake, director at Supervene Architects added: “To be given the chance to work on a building which holds such an important place within a city’s cultural history and be able to shape its next chapter is exciting.

“We believe these plans will not only breathe new life into the building and open aspects which have never been open to the public before but will also ensure the building can continue to act as a beacon to attract both locals and visitors to the area and the wider Aire Park.”

Vastint UK will officially submit its proposals to Leeds City Council in the new year ahead of starting work later in the year with the ambition of the building reopening to the public in 2026.