Aire Park building reaches completion milestone

A Leeds city centre mixed-use development has completed its latest commercial building, adding new office, retail and leisure space to the growing regeneration scheme.

Vastint UK has announced the practical completion of Kellstone, a seven-storey building at Aire Park, offering 75,000sq ft of Grade A office space and almost 7000sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure accommodation.

The development has been designed with sustainability in mind and is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, alongside WELL and WiredScore Gold standards.

Designed by Cartwright Pickard, Kellstone features a distinctive curved façade and occupies a prominent position on the approach from Leeds train station.

Peter Cartwright, director at Cartwright Pickard, said: “Achieving practical completion is a great milestone for Kellstone and a major step forward in the delivery of Aire Park and its next chapter. Kellstone is a high-performing, sustainable workplace rooted in its context. 

“Off-site construction has played a key role in delivering the building whilst maintaining high design quality.

“Over 60 percent of the façade uses a single pre-cast panel type, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste. 

“We are proud to be working with Vastint UK and its supply chain on a project that champions longevity, adaptability and placemaking.”

Law firm Eversheds Sutherland has already secured nearly two thirds of the building and will complete the fit-out of floors three to six.

Simon Harris, senior office partner, Leeds, at Eversheds Sutherland, added: “We love the positive energy at Aire Park, and Kellstone embodies that perfectly. 

“On visiting Aire Park, Kellstone immediately stood out as the right fit for us – a high-quality, future-focused space that supports both our colleague and client communities. 

“There’s a strong sense of direction at Aire Park, and we’re excited it’s taking a central role in the next phase of our growth in the city.”

The building is the latest addition to Aire Park, the 24-acre mixed-use development that combines homes, workplaces and public green space.

Construction was led by Leeds-based Moortown, supported by roofing specialist JPT Roofing and engineering firm Inhus.

Penny Cameron, managing director at Vastint UK, added: “The practical completion of Kellstone is another major milestone in the delivery of Aire Park’s commercial district and what is quickly becoming Leeds’ premier business address. 

“Alongside the new Grade A office space, the building will also feature an active ground floor, offering retail and leisure opportunities that will look out over the park and create a vibrant and welcoming entrance to the development and our growing community.”

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “The Kellstone building is a really impressive addition to Aire Park and underlines the momentum behind the development as a whole.

“Aire Park’s emergence as a modern, vibrant neighbourhood is already strengthening Leeds’ reputation as a great place to live and do business, and one where a wide range of partners and stakeholders are committed to driving inclusive growth.

“Its transformational impact also complements wider work carried out by the council in this part of the city centre, including the installation of the new David Oluwale Bridge, improvements to Crown Point Road and the creation of additional green space at Meadow Lane.”

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