Alumno has been given the green light by Leeds Council to build a mixed-use six and seven-storey building that will provide accommodation for the city’s growing student population, together with studios to support emerging local artists.
Designed by regular Alumno partner architects Howarth Litchfield, the new 11,955 square metre project on Whitelock Street will regenerate the current run-down, disused site and comprise 105 residential units that will house 411 students in 53 studios and a range of 4 to 8 bedroom cluster flats. Facilities will feature areas for communal living, including a central hub, gym, study, cinema, laundry room, roof terrace with a garden, and extensive secure bicycle storage.
The ground floor of the building will feature flexible gallery and studio space, which will be managed by local award-winning non-profit organisation East St Arts. As part of its ongoing commitment to the communities living adjacent to its projects, Alumno has also commissioned artworks that will be integrated into the public areas surrounding the development.
“We have been creating premium quality student accommodation around the UK for over 14 years, and are delighted our next project will be in Leeds,” said Alumno Managing Director David Campbell. “Whitelock Street presents the ideal location due its proximity to the universities and city centre, and we believe this development will be a great addition to this emerging, creative district and will offer significant regeneration benefits at a crucial time. It will also assist in providing more housing options, particularly to local people by alleviating the need for students to rent family homes privately in the area.”
Howarth Litchfield’s managing director, Jonathan Yates, added: “Alumno’s commitment to create high quality developments of this type is second to none and we are delighted to have been able to work with the team and the council’s planning department to achieve a positive planning outcome on this latest mixed-use regeneration scheme.”
Commenting on the artist studio space, Jon Wakeman, Director of East Street Arts, said: “We’re very excited and continue to work with Alumno to develop the design. We’re going to use the space for ceramics and pottery. The studio will provide new facilities, including a workshop area for evening classes and community engagement, an exhibition area, kilns and drying racks, as well as more private ‘pods’ for individual work.”
