Hotel plans for Leeds Great George Street building
Leeds City Council has announced Idé Real Estate as the preferred purchaser for three major developments in the city, including a hotel.
The Council plans to transform two Grade II-listed buildings, the Leonardo Building and Thoresby House on Rossington Street, into offices, and 2 Great George Street is set to become a "distinguished" hotel.
Built as a school in around 1890, the existing property could house 140 rooms, with potential for 200 more in a new building on the current car park site. It is estimated that Leeds will require an additional 2,500 high-quality hotel beds in order to service the uplift in visitor numbers expected as part of the 2023 Capital of Culture bid.
Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "We are delighted to announce Idé as the preferred purchaser for the site. The plans they have brought forward perfectly matched the aspirations of the city and the requirements of a gateway site to the innovation district."
Ronan Faherty, chief executive at Idé Real Estate, added: "Our vision for the scheme was to deliver high-quality, desirable and distinguished developments that match the location, history and significance of the buildings, with the future requirements and ambitions of one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK.
"Sitting in the business and civic quarters of the city, and also in the newly planned innovation district and the First Direct Arena, the complex is ideally located for business occupiers and visitors alike. We look forward to sharing the future development plans as they progress."
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