GPU completes largest Leeds letting

The Government Property Unit has confirmed Hermes Investment Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s 7-8 Wellington Place in Leeds as the new location for a 378,000 sq ft civil service hub. HM Revenue & Customs will occupy the majority of the building on a 25-year lease, with breaks at 20 and 23 years. NHS Digital will also relocate to Wellington Place (pictured) to enable smarter and more flexible working, and collaboration. The deal represents the largest commercial property letting in Leeds, with the hub expected to accommodate 6,000 civil servants when it opens in 2020. . Developer and asset manager MEPC is currently developing the site at on behalf of the Hermes/CPPIB joint venture. Jeff Pearey, director of JLL, which advised the GPU, said:  “This is the largest office pre-let in Leeds ever and a major economic boost for the city. The biggest up until now had been the 374,000 sq ft letting to the Government at Quarry House which heralded the arrival of various government departments, some from London, over 20 years ago. “As well as constituting the largest first phase acquisition of all of the regional government hubs completed so far, this property deal bolsters and reinforces the long term potential of Leeds’ West End.” The move forms part of the government’s hubs strategy to create 18-22 strategic hubs across the UK, located in major towns and cities and accessible by a range of transport links. Minister for government resilience and efficiency, Caroline Nokes, said: “The civil service is a great place to work and enabling civil servants to have high-quality, modern working environments will ensure that we work productively and deliver the best services to the public across the country. “The Leeds hubs will be a catalyst for growth in the surrounding cities and towns, helping rebalance the UK economy and underpin our strategy for a strong, well-connected Northern Powerhouse.” Chief Executive of NHS Digital, Sarah Wilkinson, said: “As one of Leeds major employers, we see this as an opportunity for greater consolidation of our Leeds estate when completed. The hubs will enable us at NHS Digital to build on our existing strong relationships with the wider NHS and government departments. “Over the past few years, Leeds has established itself as the major digital city in England with a thriving technology sector, which NHS Digital is proud to be a part of. The work NHS Digital does here in Leeds affects the lives of everyone in the country. Being part of the Government Hubs programme in Leeds is a great opportunity to work in partnership with both national and local organisations.” The deal is the eighth hub announced so far by government. The seven other confirmed hubs include: ■ Erskine House, Belfast ■ 3 Glass Wharf, Bristol ■ 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf ■ 6 Central Square, Cardiff ■ 1 Ruskin Square, Croydon ■ New Waverley, Edinburgh ■ India Buildings, Liverpool To send feedback, e-mail Louisa.Clarence-Smith@egi.co.uk or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette