A 'topping out' ceremony took place to signify a major milestone in the latest phase of development, which is on track to realise developer, Scarborough Group International's (SGI) vision for creating the largest mixed-use business destination in the north of England.
SGI hosted the event with local councillors and special guests from Lowell, which is relocating its headquarters to Thorpe Park. Guests also included representatives from construction partner GMI Construction Group PLC as well as the project design team.
The centuries old tradition of blessing a yew tree with the four symbolic elements of wine, oil, corn and salt took place atop the building. The tree was then planted in Central Park, a 15-acre public green space that forms an essential health and wellbeing provision in the heart of Thorpe Park Leeds. Further planting is also planned around the estate as future phases of the scheme progress.
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Last year leading credit management company, Lowell agreed the record-breaking pre-let following its commitment to the 133,118 sq ft, state-of-the-art workplace, representing the largest single out of town office deal ever recorded in West Yorkshire and the biggest property transaction in the Northern Powerhouse region over the last eighteen months.
Designed by award-winning architects, Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, the building sets a new benchmark for future development at Thorpe Park Leeds. It is being constructed in line with the very latest human health and wellbeing standards with an environmental performance target rating of BREEAM ‘Excellent while also achieving an EPC A rating. Its location and adjacent landscaped public piazza will create an anchor point for the next development plots that will be largely pedestrianised, providing easy access to The Springs retail and leisure centre, Central Park and proposed 113-acre green park beyond.
GMI Construction Group PLC is the main contractor for the building, which extends over seven floors with two levels of underground podium parking and amenity below. Approximately 56,000 cubic meters of bulk earth has been excavated and redistributed across the site, saving the need for 7,000 lorry loads to leave the site, reducing the need for 14,000 vehicle movements. This not only helps to increase efficiency but ultimately helps to reduce the overall environmental and carbon impact of the project. The public realm at Thorpe Park is perhaps one of the most important considerations within the design of the building, introducing new green spaces to support local wildlife habitat and a place for staff and visitors to relax and unwind.
