A brand new office building at the £400m Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds has been handed over to Zenith Vehicle Contracts.
Number One, Great Exhibition Way, Kirkstall Forge is now the new headquarters for the independent leasing, vehicle outsourcing and fleet management provider.
Acquired and project managed by Fox Lloyd Jones, the concept for the 65,000 sq ft office was created by interior designers, SpaceInvader, and fitted out by construction specialists, Ardmac, in conjunction with mechanical and electrical consultants, BSAP.
Comprising four working floors, the fit out incorporates the installation of bespoke joinery, custom made lighting, feature flooring and ceilings, and the creation of roof level meeting rooms with break-out zones and a top floor employee space known as ‘The Loft’.
The new offices will also enhance Zenith’s environmental credentials, as the building is designed to a BREEAM excellent rating, has solar panels installed on the roof and is also working towards a low or zero carbon rating.
Paul Fox, director of Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “It’s very rewarding to see a 4-year vision and project come together in such a spectacular and ground-breaking way.”
“Encouraged by the high-quality standards of the developer CEG, Fox Lloyd Jones assembled an outstanding team in SpaceInvader, Ardmac and BSAP, who have designed and delivered a world-class office product for Zenith, an industry leader.
“The finished product is so spectacular, and the team are so proud of it that it’s going to be submitted for a prestigious BCO National Fit Out award.”
Paul continued: “Kirkstall Forge is one of the oldest working industrial sites in Europe so it seems appropriate that, having played a major part in the original industrial revolution, the site is now setting the standards for the digital revolution and new technological advancement in the North of England.”
Tim Buchan, chief executive of Zenith, commented: “Zenith is a business with big ambitions and we have to be able to retain and recruit talent from across the North of England. Our new office gives us room to grow and provides an unrivalled working environment.”
As well as having a dedicated railway station, running and cycle routes have also been created.
Andrew Winstanley, Ardmac’s managing director, added: “We were tasked with creating an inspiring, agile working environment that would help attract and retain the best talent in the region, that reflected the historical fortitude of the area whilst bringing the most modern technologies in work space solutions.”
John Williams, director of Space Invader, concluded: “The design approach was heavily influenced by Zenith’s ambitions to create a truly unique and innovative workplace that reflects their culture and has the gravitas to recruit the best talent available.
“We’re extremely proud to be part of the team to deliver this game-changing project and believe the benefits to the client, the site and the wider region will be seen for years to come.”
Once complete, Kirkstall Forge will be a mixed-use standalone community with more than 1000 homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space set within a unique wooded and riverside setting.
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