Channel 4 makes call on Leeds HQ

Channel 4 has picked the former Majestic dancehall as its new Leeds headquarters. The broadcaster will lease more than 25,000 sq ft on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the Grade II listed building opposite Leeds railway station. Local developer Rushbond is currently redeveloping the property and Channel 4 is expected to move into its new home in the second half of 2020. Rushbond acquired the building 2010 and originally planned to turn it into an entertainment complex before it was ravaged by fire four years later. Ahead of moving into the Majestic, Channel 4 is agreeing terms with Bruntwood to lease space in the West Gate development on Grace Street in Leeds city centre. Staff will begin to move there from September this year. CBRE led the negotiations on behalf of Channel 4. Channel 4’s chief commercial officer Jonathan Allan said: “Leeds offered a wealth of potential locations for our national HQ but the Majestic really stood out as an iconic building which will put Channel 4 at the heart of the city centre. “It’s an incredibly impressive redevelopment and offers the right mix of location, connectivity and space for our organisation and great facilities for our staff and our partners in the industry.” See also: Delivering the right environment for all at Channel 4 The broadcaster also announced today that it had chosen the location of its creative hub in Bristol. It will lease 3,200 sq ft on the second floor of the Fermentation Buildings at Finzels Reach, located along the city’s waterfront quarter. The negotiations were again led by CBRE on behalf of Channel 4, with Knight Frank and Savills acting on behalf of developer Cubex. Allan said: “We looked at a number of different sites in Bristol, but the Fermentation Buildings stood out for us as offering both a great location at the heart of the city in reach of transport links, and an historic industrial building with superb facilities on hand for our staff. “We’re on track and incredibly excited to be opening our creative hub in the city this autumn.” The broadcaster has yet to announce the location of another proposed creative hub in Glasgow. When its new offices open across Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow, the three cities will be the combined home to 300 Channel 4 staff. To send feedback, e-mail lucy.alderson@egi.co.uk or tweet @LucyAJourno or @estatesgazette