Work progresses on Merrion House
Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive from Town Centre Securities, and Leeds City Council leader Councillor Judith Blake have visited the site of Merrion House as major refurbishment work accelerates.
Following the recent announcement that BAM had been awarded the £41m redevelopment project, cranes and workmen have moved in and begun work.
The 10 storey building, which will have 170,000 sq ft of office space, is jointly owned by Town Centre Securities and Leeds City Council as part of a unique long-term partnership between the public and private sectors.
Merrion House, which will reopen in early 2018, will include a state-of-the-art customer services hub as well as being the main office base for the Council, housing 1,900 staff with all public-facing services under the same roof. The move is set to save Leeds council tax payers up to £27m over the coming years due to the operational efficiencies that it will generate.
“Our partnership with Leeds City Council is set to be the biggest deal of its kind outside of London and will take the Arena Quarter to the next level. The revitalised and extended Merrion House will be another key component in rejuvenating an already thriving and vibrant area. The development will drive even more footfall and trade to the northern side of the city centre and will support the regeneration of the Arena Quarter.”
– Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive at Town Centre Securities
Following its completion, Leeds City Council buildings located in the city will be reduced from 17 to just 4, these will include: Merrion House, Leeds Civic Hall, Enterprise House and St George’s House.
Councillor Judith Blake at Leeds City Council, said: “This is a really important move for the council. Having all public services under the one roof will mean that our services will be easier for the local community to access and we’ll be able to operate as efficiently as possible.
“The new customer services hub at Merrion House will be an ideal first port of call for one million plus visitors per year, seeking help on a wide range of issues including energy advice, council tax and student support.”