21 Queen Street draws the Leeds office crowd

21 Queen Street

A fun casino with serious prizes provided the entertainment, with the star of the show being its new top floor location - a stunning addition to the skyline of the Leeds business district.

Its developer Formal Investments and agents from Jones Lang LaSalle and CBRE are confident the top floor will soon be let, thanks to its high specification, commanding views and newly won landmark status. Formal Investments director Nicholas King welcomed guests to the launch, saying: “We are very proud of 21 Queen Street. What started as a very tired building has been reinvented as a really exciting and modern development. It is a big plus for Leeds and is ready for business.”

The building has been transformed by the addition of new colourfully lit fourth and fifth floors and full height glazing front and rear to the reworked lower floors. More than 37,000 sq ft of Grade ‘A’ office space is available in flexible, efficient floor plates.

Agents and advisers were impressed. Georgia Pirbhai, of Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “It’s a great space, a good addition for Leeds.” Neil Drake, from chartered surveyors Ackroyd Dent and Co, said: “The views are terrific.” Jeff Pearey, of Jones Lang Lasalle, said: “It’s a transformational piece of architecture. The new floors bring a new dimension to the building and the location.”

James Knowles is from the Leeds office of law firm Irwin Mitchell, which was once based in the building before its revamp. James said: “It’s a fantastic transformation. It was a little dark before but now its light and bright. It’s good for Leeds.”

Joint letting agent Richard Thornton of Jones Lang LaSalle said: “We have got some serious interest, particularly in the top floor. It is spectacular up there. Thanks to the high quality finish, the ambition of its architecture, and how it uses lighting it has a real presence.”

Joint letting agent Jonathan Shires of CBRE said: “The 21 Queen Street launch was extremely well attended by the Leeds Business community and provided occupiers and agents alike the chance to absorb the high quality refurbishment that has recently taken place. With suites from as little as 1,948 sq ft, 21 Queen Street offers a broad spectrum of occupiers access to Grade ‘A’ space in the very heart of the city centre.”

After champagne and canapes the guests took to the casino tables, with the three players amassing the most winnings taking the prizes:

1st prize, box seats at Twickenham for a Six Nations England game, was won by Jack Hutchinson of Eddisons (who wagered his way to $82,150) 2nd prize, box seats for an England football match at Wembley, went to Mike Greensmith of Gardiner & Theobald ($26,000) 3rd prize, a case of Bollinger, was won by James Knowles of Irwin Mitchel ($2,725) Nicholas King praised the teams behind the project, including project manager Richard Jones of RALAR Project Services, Think Architecture & Design, Clegg Construction and the agents. The architect Simon Smithson, of Think Architecture & Design, said: “It’s a brave statement and it’s always nice to have a client who is brave.”

Agents and potential occupiers are invited to contact:

Richard Thornton at Jones Lang LaSalle <br> 0113 244 6440, [email protected]

Jonathan Shires at CBRE <br> 0113 233 7666, [email protected]