Munroe K - Offices Development - Leeds, White Rose Office Park

Date: 18 Feb 2002

Munroe K has started construction of a new 2,323 sq m (25,000 sq ft) office building at White Rose Office Park - its 10.92 hectare (27 acre) premier business park located three miles south west of Leeds city centre and adjacent to the White Rose Shopping Centre.

The building has been let to the Secretary of State for Transport Local Government and the Regions (Inland Revenue) on a new 15-year lease, at a rent of £177 per sq m (£16.45 per sq ft). This deal follows Munroe K's recent lettings to Consignia and Sodexho - making a total of 6,689 sq m (72,000 sq ft) let at White Rose since June 2001.

Munroe K has appointed main contractor, GMI, to carry out the fast-track construction programme, with completion for July 2002. The DDA compliant building, designed by Carey Jones Architects, will feature air-conditioning, a 15m clear span floor plate, 150 mm raised floor, brie soleil, high performance glazing, high speed lifts, separate service access, and parking for 75 cars. The striking double height entrance foyer will open onto a landscaped courtyard.

Director of Munroe K, Paul Harding, commented: "We are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State as a new tenant and, with the strength of the Leeds office market showing no signs of wavering, we are confident of letting further space this year. We have already begun the £1.5 million enabling works for our 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) headquarters building at the front of White Rose so that construction work will be ready to proceed this summer."

The Inland Revenue deal follows hot on the heels of the completion of a £4 million state-of-the-art catering, conference and gymnasium complex for operator Sodexho (formerly Gardner Merchant). Unrivalled anywhere in the region, this 1,858 sq m (20,000 sq ft) stand-alone building houses outstanding facilities for the park's existing and potential occupiers. Amenities include a 400-cover restaurant and separate deli/snack bar, a range of conference rooms, and a fully-fitted gymnasium incorporating an aerobics and dance studio, fitness suite, sauna and therapy rooms.

In addition, the opening of the Sodexho complex has released an additional 558 sq m (6,000 sq ft) of space in the Arlington Business Centre, the main building on the park. Previously utilised as a restaurant, this suite will be fully refurbished by Munroe K and marketed as further prime office space. Current tenants of the 26,941 sq m (290,000 sq ft) Arlington Business centre include mm02, HSBC, First Direct and Consignia.

Joint letting agents for Munroe K are Knight Frank and Chesterton, and the Secretary of State was represented by Mapeley and DTZ Debenham Tie Leung.

Sodexho Building

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