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Leeds City Region set to promote itself to the world

Monday 15th March 2010

REPRESENTATIVES from Yorkshire local authorities will fly out to France today as they look to promote the Leeds City Region at the world's largest property fair.

For the first time councils from Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees have come together to sell the benefits of not just one city, but the wider city region at the annual Marché International des Professionnels d'Immobilier (MIPIM) in Cannes in the South of France.

Thousands of delegates will be attracted to the annual event including developers, financiers, surveyors and property consultants as well as public sector agencies looking for inward investment.

The Leeds City Region is expected to make a series of key announcements about major property developments this week including the latest plans for the Leeds Arena, the Tower Works in Holbeck in Leeds, the City Park and Learning Quarter in Bradford, the masterplan for the regeneration of Halifax town centre and the new Hepworth Art Gallery in Wakefield.

The Leeds City Region will host a major breakfast event on Wednesday in which Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, will join key figures from Yorkshire local authorities and the property sector to debate the merits of city regions.

In previous years, public sector bodies representing different towns and cities from the region have attended MIPIM individually but this year Leeds and Bradford, together with the districts of Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, will attend under the 'Leeds City Region: Growing and Going Together' banner.

The collaboration follows a partnership between Leeds and Bradford at MIPIM 2009 and the granting of Leeds City Region status by central government last year.

TheBusinessDesk.com will work with Leeds City Region at MIPIM as media partner.

The Leeds City Region is part of a Government programme which will give the region new controls on areas including housing, regeneration, transport and economic development.

Hat-trick of new shops for Leeds Corn Exchange

Saturday 13th March 2010

Bosses at the Leeds Corn Exchange today hailed a hat-trick of new stores as proof of a bright future for the historic shopping hall.

The multi-occupancy city centre building has been struggling to attract tenants in the wake of a £1.5m refurbishment.

But now its management firm, Threadneedle, has announced that three independent retailers will be setting up shop in the Corn Exchange this spring.

They are fashion store All American Vintage, shoe business Russo Italia and Primo's, a 'concept cafe' selling gourmet hot dogs, coffee and ice cream.

An as-yet-unnamed fashion brand is also said to be in "advanced discussions" about moving to the Grade I listed building.

Threadneedle asset manager Keith Butcher said: "We are delighted to welcome these retailers. Their arrival is a strong sign that confidence is returning to the retail market.

"Leeds Corn Exchange is being recognised as a truly special location and we look forward to making further announcements soon."

Today's news comes nearly two and a half years after plans were unveiled to turn the newly-renovated Corn Exchange into a high-class food emporium.

Traders selling a wide range of goods were controversially given their marching orders as part of the site's planned reinvention.

Top chef Anthony Flinn subsequently took over the building's 13,200 sq ft basement for his Piazza restaurant venture – but its two other floors remained empty as recently as the start of last year.

Threadneedle then decided to reopen its doors to non-food retailers, a change of heart which has seen three units being taken up by jewellery specialist Outrage and fashion names Dawn Stretton and The Hidden Wardrobe.

Dating back to the 1860s, the Corn Exchange is owned by Leeds City Council but leased on a long-term basis by the property arm of Zurich Assurance.

The latest landmark on a Yorkshire city's skyline has been launched to the public.

Friday 12th March 2010

Twenty-one storey cylindrical residential building Candle House in Leeds has been developed by ISIS Waterside Regeneration.

Designed by CareyJones Architects, a launch event for the public last night marked the completion of the final stage of development at Granary Wharf, which has undergone a £90m facelift at the hands of ISIS Waterside Regeneration and includes the new City Inn hotel.

The building incorporates a roof-top terrace which is 75m above the ground.

The decked garden features large glass windows surrounding the circumference of the circular space.

Candle House includes 160 apartments ranging from studio to one and two bedroom properties. Prices range from £99,950 for a studio apartment to £199,950 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Eligible buyers can benefit from the government backed HomeBuy Direct scheme at both Granary Wharf properties, Candle House and Waterman's Place.

Mark Howe, of ISIS, said: "The design of the building gave us some hurdles to overcome both in the planning and development of Candle House, but from the moment John (Thorpe, Leeds civic architect) suggested a circular building, the entire team agreed that this was definitely the way to maximise the use of this striking waterside location."

The first two stages of development at Granary Wharf completed last year, including City Inn, Leeds's newest hotel which launched last September.

The development also will benefit from a new live music and real ale venue, The Hop, due to launch on March 26 which will be the first Leeds venture for Yorkshire-based Ossett Brewery.

Future plans for the area include a series of events and markets to be announced in April, which will animate the public realm throughout the summer.

Top Yorkshire building projects compete for 'Oscars'

Wednesday 10th March 2010

THE region's most impressive buildings and property schemes are set to battle it out for major honours after making it on to the shortlist of the 2010 RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards.

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) received a record number of entries for the awards, which are regarded as the region's property 'Oscars'.

After initial judging, 45 schemes have made it to the grade and on to the shortlist, where they are now in with a chance of winning one of the eight prestigious property gongs which are awarded to the region’s most inspirational initiatives in the property and construction sectors.

A whole host of innovative projects spanning all areas of the region have been submitted including Wakefield, Hull, Halifax, Sheffield, Harrogate, Leeds and York, with nominations ranging from small-scale schemes built by the vision and persistence of one person, through to multi-million pound developments. These include the restoration of a public mansion, the refurbishment and development of University buildings to several housing projects.

The eight award categories are Building Conservation, Commercial, Community Benefit, Design & Innovation, Regeneration, Residential, Sustainability and Tourism & Leisure and there is also a prestigious 'Project of the Year' accolade, which is awarded to the entry judged to have scored the highest across all categories.

The regional winners in four of the categories will be automatically entered into the national RICS Awards, where they compete against other leading projects from across the UK.

Chairman of the RICS Yorkshire and Humber judging panel Colin Harrop, who is also a senior associate at King Sturge in Leeds, said: “The RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards present an ideal opportunity for the sectors that have been hit hard by the recession to showcase the great work that is underway in the region, despite the poor market conditions.

"We were delighted to see the entries pour in and once again the tremendous variety and high standard of projects has far exceeded our expectations, which is a true testament to the resilience and excellence of Yorkshire and Humberside's property and construction professionals."

The winners of the 2010 RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards will be revealed at a special gala dinner held at The Pavilion, Elland Road, Leeds, on May 14.

Yorkshire Water has taken 57,000 sq ft in Leeds in the city centre's largest deal for five years.

Tuesday 1st December 2009

The water company has taken the space at GE Capital Real Estate's Livingstone House, Clarence Dock, as revealed by Property Week (13.11.09).

It is thought that the quoting rent on the building is £19.50/sq ft.

Yorkshire Water has taken a 10 year lease on the part ground and floors 2-5 inclusive at the 71,955 sq ft building. The building, part of the wider £250m Clarence Dock waterfront scheme in Leeds, will be the base for its newly created asset delivery team, consisting of 550 staff.

Charlie Haysom, head of Yorkshire Water's asset delivery team, said: "Yorkshire Water is a major investor in the region and this move is another example of how the company continues to benefit local economies."

A Sorry Site

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

With the stalled £225m Lumiere development still on hold after a year, Leeds City Council bosses have finally vowed to get tough with its developers and urge them to do something with the ugly pit in the ground where a skyscraper should have stood.

The economic downturn forced work on the project to be halted, and the council has had to step in to make the site presentable, as nearby businesses on Wellington Street have suffered a drop in business as a direct result of the unsightly site.

The pavements either side of the site will be reinstated, at the developer's expense, but Councillor Andrew Carter, executive board member with responsibility for development, has said that the episode has 'soured relations' between the council and Frasers, Lumiere's developer who took over when original co-developers KW Linfoot went into administration.

Despite repeated demands to do something with the site, Frasers has failed to react, and Councillor Carter says they've had enough.

"They need to understand we are not going to be messed about any longer. Senior officers' repeated phonecalls go unanswered and it's an intolerable situation what I'm not prepared to accept."

The Council does not own the one-acre site so is unable to tidy it up, but has pledged to do the work it is legally able to do on the footpaths and then look at other options.

Holbeck To The Drawing Board

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

The owner of a site at the heart of the multi-million pound Holbeck Urban Village project has been forced into liquidation after the bank pulled out on its funding.

The triangular plot, which is over 5.5 acres, was to be used for a structure similar to the famous Flat Iron building in New York, and was to contain 414 homes, 106,700 sq.ft. of office space plus 53,350 sq.ft. of commercial space.

Holbeck Estates, the owners of the plot, have now been taken over by receivers acting on behalf of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and EMCO Estates Holdings Ltd., which owned Holbeck Estates, has also been forced into liquidation as a result.

RBS itself was rescued with £20m of public money, and recalled its loan after an independent expert found that the land value had dropped dramatically since it was bought.

A spokesman for EMCO said it was a "desperately disappointing outcome".

Kevin Grady, director of Leeds Civic Trust, described the site as "critically important" and although Holbeck Estates' plans had been "acceptable", he says "Now that the site has become available again, it offers the opportunity for it to be looked at again."

House Prices: Forecast Still Formidable

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

The beginning of October saw building society Nationwide report that housing prices had bounced back to the same prices as this time last year, but with a warning that the housing market still faced "considerable headwinds".

Hopes that the property crash was finally over were raised along with the average housing price in September - an increase of 0.9% to £161,816.

Economists even expressed their surprise at how quickly house prices had begun to rise again, after dropping by 13% since late 2007 and making a much more rapid recovery than in the downturn of the early 1990s.

However, Nationwide isn't alone in its doubts that the property crash is yet to be over - many banks are still restricting the supply of mortgages in a bid to re-instate financial stability, and unemployment is still a widespread concern, meaning that fewer properties are coming onto the market, skewing the prices of those available.

Granary Wharf Scheme Breathing New Life Into City Living in Leeds

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

"Selling the apartments in Granary Wharf is the easiest job I've ever had, yet I've never been so busy - I've had nothing but positive feedback," says Nina Barker, senior sales consultant for King Sturge, the sole selling agents for Granary Wharf. "My favourite part is taking people into their apartments, after they've bought off-plan and waited months to see them completed, and seeing their excitement!"

These lucky residents have a lot to be excited about too, as we saw at the bustling launch party of the Waterman's Place building, which after months of careful building has received its final licks of paint and is ready for its first occupants.

Jugglers, fire eaters and human statues took to the public space at the Waterma's Place launch party and helped to show off the spacious, pleasant surroundings, and Barker was inundated with enquiries about the apartments all evening - and it wasn't just the free champagne talking!

"People have been waiting for a scheme like this," Barker says of Granary Wharf's success, with almost half of the apartments in Waterman's Place sold already. "They've been waiting for a good quality scheme, in a location surrounded by open spaces. As soon as you go onto any of the balconies in this building you feel like you're in an open environment, not looking onto another brick wall, and everyone just says, 'wow!'"

The public space, with benches lining the picturesque water's edge, was an important factor in the scheme. Not just setting it apart from the competition, it's what makes Granary Wharf a place to live, but also a place for a lifestyle, and Barker says the visitors are already trickling in.

"The public space had only been open a week, but then I came down and saw two little old ladies sat on the benches eating their sandwiches. I was so excited, because this is exactly how we intended it to be!"

The commercial space in Granary Wharf is still yet to be completely filled, but Barker says it's just a matter of time, with enquiries flying in from the likes of breweries, chocolate makers, panini shops and convenience stores, but Granary Wharf's developers are adamant that the retailers should be as unique as the scheme itself.

"We don't want Starbucks, Prêt or Tesco Metro. We want shops for local people that know Leeds, and are passionate about Leeds, but also shops that will draw people down here just to visit."

The popularity of the recently-opened City Inn hotel has certainly helped to get the word out about Granary Wharf, as one apartment was sold to a gentleman who checked into the hotel, and ended up checking out with a new Waterman's Place apartment. His neighbours won't be the typical young professionals that populate city centre apartments though - they range from newlyweds to newly-retired couples, a testament to the diversity of the scheme and that there's something there to appeal to everyone. The affordability of the apartments certainly helps too, with apartments available through the HomeBuy direct scheme, a shared equity scheme co-funded by the Government and ISIS, Granary Wharf's developers, who will provide potential homebuyers with an equity loan of up to 30%, meaning no deposit is required.

Even Barker herself can't quite tear herself away from Granary Wharf, and still finds herself heading down there when she's not working: "On my birthday I came down here with my parents and we went to Teppanyaki, the Japanese restaurant under the arches, and then went for drinks at the Sky Bar in the City Inn. It was absolutely rammed already, and even my parents loved it! Please don't tell everyone that I was here on my day off though."

The next and final phase of the Granary Wharf scheme, the column-shaped Candle House, is slowly shedding its scaffolding as we speak - so even if you don’t snap up a Waterman's Place apartment, you won't have completely missed out.

For enquiries, visit the Marketing Suite at Granary Wharf, Wharf Approach, call 0113 243 4324 or visit www.granarywharf.co.uk

Westgate store bought for £4.5m

Friday 23 October 2009

HARROGATE-based commercial property developer 4Urban has acquired the town's Westgate Co-operative department store for £4.5m.

The purchase has been agreed with a lease back term of five years to current occupier Anglia Co-operative.

Paul Lancaster, managing director of 4Urban, which has its offices at Clarendon House on Victoria Avenue, said: "Whilst the commercial property sector is still experiencing challenging conditions, our strategy is very much focused on growth and expanding our portfolio.

"On the back of our successful 5Rise retail development in Bingley, we see the purchase of Albert Street as a strategic acquisition which has excellent medium term development potential in one of Yorkshire's most popular retail towns."

Leeds Kirkgate Market: Traders in crisis talks

Thursday 22 October 2009

Around 130 Leeds traders turned out for a heated debate with the council over the future of Kirkgate Market.

The local authority was told by a business expert to "start to manage it like a business".

Frustrated stallholders called for the meeting in a bid to save their livelihoods, claiming lack of investment, poor management and high rents were driving their businesses into the ground.

They hauled Leeds City Council and market managers over the coals during the two-hour session at Leeds Marriott Hotel, angrily grilling them about why the historic gem has been allowed to fall into such disrepair.

Business development worker Joanne Williams, who spoke on behalf of the disgruntled tenants, said problems there included falling footfall inefficient maintenance, empty units, imbalance of trades, high rents, management issues and neglect of the building.

She called for the council to review the management, consider retraining them and "start to manage it like a business".

She added: "A lot of these issues would not have dragged on this long in a private sector company because it would have gone under."

In August traders passed a vote of no confidence in the management and called on the council to replace them.

Jean Dent, director of city development, has now promised to consider reducing rents.

She also pledged to work with traders, hold regular meetings with them and seek advice from successful markets such as Halifax and Dewsbury.

But Michelle Hocken, from Hayes Seafood, who with husband Cliff has led the campaign for change, criticised the council for dragging its feet.

She said: "We came to you in May, now we are in October and people are going out of business."

One furious trader shouted: "People in this hall haven't got the amount of time you're talking about. It will all go down like a deck of cards."

The market has 420 units, with rents ranging from £30 per square foot to £55, although dozens are empty.

Ken Harris, of Englands Lowest Prices, said: "I've been there 18 months and not seen a lick of paint.

"Why doesn't the council pay to have the stalls done up and make it more attractive?"

Another trader, who has been there 22 years, said: "We are not making any money. It's purely due to rent increases."

Ms Williams said the traders were trying to improve the situation, negotiating with NCP for cheaper parking for traders and discounts for market shoppers and consulting Rosie Winterton, Local Government Minister, who has promised to "champion the traditional market".

Barry Anderson, council lead member for development and regeneration, said there was "only a finite budget available".

Paul Brook, the council's chief asset management officer, said the authority had introduced various initiatives to help traders such as the option to take on an adjacent stall at 10 per cent of the standard fee.

Ms Dent said: "Leeds Kirkgate Market is a really important part of life here in Leeds and in the city centre.

"We know there are big challenges but I would like to hope we can start from today with a much more partnership approach."

Change of name and £1m new look for Leeds hotel

It's been known as the Golden Lion for more than 100 years but after a £1m refurbisment and name change, one of the oldest hotels in Leeds should be bang up to date.

The venue, on the corner of Lower Briggate, has been rebranded the Cosmopolitan and is set to open a new restaurant and bar at the end of May aimed at attracting non-guests to its tables as well as overnight customers.

Read full article here

Waterfront owners' fury over flood plans

RESIDENTS of upmarket waterfront flats are horrified by proposed flood defences which would block their views of the river and split their lagoon in two.

Owners of the 120 flats at Victoria Quays, Leeds, spent around £100,000 repairing the lagoon around seven years ago and are outraged by suggestions that as part of the plans to stop the city flooding a wall could be built through the middle of it.

Read full article here

Leeds concert arena work gets underway

WE'RE really digging this - that was the message as the start of work at the site of Leeds's new concert arena provided a timely boost to the recession-hit city.

Council leader Andrew Carter climbed behind the controls of a 140-tonne excavator yesterday after the job of demolishing a disused building on the land earmarked for the venue got under way.

Read full article here

New £31m four-star hotel in Leeds city centre

Plans have been unveiled for a new £31m four-star hotel in Leeds city centre which will be one of the largest of its type in the city.

The 14-storey, 244 bedroom Portland Crescent Hotel is being developed by Oxford GB on land owned by Leeds City Council next to Leeds Metropolitan University's new Rose Bowl building and close to the site of the new Leeds Arena.

The developers have already secured planning approval and work will start on site this year with the project due to be completed by the end of 2011.

Revised plan to end Leeds 'station chaos'

Yorkshire Evening Post - 4 February 2009
By Debbie Leigh

A HERITAGE watchdog has moved to bring the goal of creating a more user-friendly entry point to Leeds a step closer.

Leeds Civic Trust has drawn up plans for the City Square area - "to end station chaos" - and submitted them to Leeds City Council, Metro and Network Rail.

The Linking the Station to the City Report sets out four key proposals:

• Make the front of the station and City Square more pedestrian-friendly;
• End traffic chaos on both sides of the station;
• Move Leeds Bus Station nearer to the railway station, to Criterion Place;
• Extend the Loop road south of the River Aire, through the under-threat Tetley's Brewery site and the Asda Headquarters car park, to Neville Street.

Mike Piet, chairman of the trust's planning committee, said it had wanted to be involved in discussions of a new vision for Leeds.

"Our plan isn't perfect and we would value as many comments on it as possible.

"Nevertheless, we believe that after refinement our proposals for the railway station and the improvements to the Loop and City Square could be implemented quickly and without enormous expense."

The entry point was criticised by urban design experts including style guru Wayne Hemingway at the City Centre Vision conference last year.

The council has set goals in its city-centre prospectus including "arrival points that are welcoming"; "improved public transport" and "improved access to and from the railway station."

The trust would start by simplifying the Loop route so there are fewer traffic lanes in City Square and pavements and pedestrian crossings could be widened.

Instead of going up Swinegate, the Loop would run along Sovereign Street, up Neville Street tunnel into City Square; then along Wellington Street - instead of Quebec Street - and turn right up King Street into East Parade.

It wants to divert southbound buses from Mill Hill to Swinegate, cutting out a "rat run" and allowing part of Bishopgate Street to be pedestrianised.

And it wants the main car and taxi route into the station to be from Wellington Street, along a widened Northern Street and over a new bridge.

Cars would either enter direct into a new expanded multi-storey car park or use a drop-off area in the existing car park.

Taxis would queue on the riverside, instead of blocking New Station Street and Boar Lane, picking up at Wetherspoons.

A city council spokesman said: "The civic trust has made some interesting suggestions for the area around the rail station and City Square, some in line with options we have been considering.

"The proposals do not at the moment indicate the likely traffic impacts and these will need to be carefully considered."

A spokeswoman for Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain's rail infrastructure, said it was in discussions with local organisations about plans for the city and the report would help to guide those plans.

A Metro spokesman said the trust's proposals were in line with its long-term ambition to combine the bus and rail stations.

NEW APPOINTMENT PUTS GAYNOR ON A CREST OF A WAVE

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential lettings specialists, Linley & Simpson, have appointed Gaynor Barrett as the new manager of its Leeds city centre branch.

Gaynor, 35, brings a wealth of letting experience to the company, having spent the past five years working in Headingley and the city centre for a rival agency.

She joins Linley & Simpson's expanding network of offices at an exciting time - the Leeds city centre lettings market is very strong, with a shortage of properties and an influx of tenants.

Gaynor said: "The market has completed a full circle in the past few years and has returned to the position where demand for properties to rent is again outstripping supply in many areas."

A former fashion student and retail manager before moving into residential lettings, Bradford-born Gaynor is a keen DIY-er and is busy renovating her home at the moment.

Having travelled as far away as Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Laos, Burma and India in her youth, she is pleased to have returned to her Yorkshire roots - although she retains her love of the outdoors by sailing out at sea with her father aboard a friend's yacht.

In addition to Leeds city centre, Linley & Simpson has seven Yorkshire offices - Oakwood, Horsforth, Ilkley, Wetherby, Wakefield, Harrogate and York.

CLARENCE DOCK ANNOUNCES EIGHT ANCHOR RESTAURANTS

Developer Crosby Lend Lease has announced that eight new restaurants are to open at its eye-catching £260 million development, Clarence Dock. The news comes as Leeds' largest mixed use destination reaches completion with 1.2 million sq ft of dynamic space that has transformed the city's waterside into a modern, vibrant and ultimate city destination.

Eight exciting restaurants and cafes are to anchor the scheme with plans to open between March and July this year. Crosby Lend Lease has been instrumental in achieving a mix of well known national brands and popular regional restaurants that have embraced the opportunity to design brand new concepts to suit the stylish and contemporary make-up of Clarence Dock.

Family favourite Pizza Express (4,500 sq ft) and Starbucks (1,500 sq ft) will take occupation along the development' central pedestrian boulevard. Overlooking the dock will be the upmarket Bradford based speciality Indian restaurant, Mumtaz (9,000 sq ft), visited by HRH Queen Elizabeth II, last year. The new restaurant will be situated on the ground floor of Mackenzie House. A staunch favourite of many Bollywood actors and politicians Mumtaz is launching a sizzling new concept to open in summer - a plan that has been in the pipeline for sometime and now able to realise this ambition. Mumtaz will also offer a food emporium style offer stocking all ingredients needed for authentic food.

Bringing a new chic and trendy cafe concept to Leeds is Cafe Aagrah (2,500 sq ft). The cafe will feature a Central Kitchen Theatre and a fusion of Multi Cuisine served in a fast casual environment. The Aagrah Group is well known across Yorkshire and is recognised nationally and internationally for its outstanding authentic Kashmiri cuisine.

@larocca (9,000 sq ft) will be the trading name of Lancashire based Tiggis which first opened in 1978 in Preston and expanded into St Annes, Bolton and Solihull. Located in a prime position at the head of the dock and specialising in authentic Tuscan food created by some of Italy's finest chef's, the £2 million restaurant will be open seven days a week, offering great business lunches plus a special brunch on Sunday. A piano cocktail bar and entertainment area will provide an all day to evening offer opening in April. The Roast (2,000 sq ft) which is known for its perfect bacon sandwiches will open its third restaurant in Leeds and will serve quality home made food and true British tapas such as Toad in the Hole and mini Shepherd's Pie.

London Clubs International will be opening a £15 million 65,000 sq ft casino Alea and will provide visitors with the very latest in slots, electronic gaming and a full range of banker's games. Working closely with Crosby Lend Lease, London Clubs International is using Clarence Dock as a platform for new formats and will open two restaurants, five feature bars, a members' cinema; a card room, attracting both local and national tournaments as well as state of the art conference facilities. There will also be a dedicated area for live entertainment, with a varied programme of acts to suit different membership preferences.

Simon Kidd, Commercial Lettings Director at Clarence Dock comments: We are delighted to announce these new signings and as the venues open over the coming months they will add a totally new dimension to Clarence Dock. Already the waterside destination is alive with activity born out of the successful completion and occupation of 1,100 luxury apartments on site. Tesco Express, which opened in January, has confirmed that it is already 30% above trading predictions which is testament to the captive audience along the city's waterfront.

Clarence Dock also includes 100,000 sq ft of prime office accommodation, a 1650 covered multi storey car park and a hotel. It is located directly adjacent to award winning visitor attraction The Royal Armouries that is predicting a rise to 500,000 visitors this year, and Saviles exhibition and conference centre that reported a £1.5 million turnover in its first six months of opening.

Crosby Lend Lease is now progressing deals with a number of exiting retail operators to complete the proposition. A mix of aspirational lifestyle and urban street fashion brands are seeking space and homeware, electronics, books and music brands are also being targeted.

Markham Vaughan Gillingham, BSB and Knight Frank represent Crosby Lend Lease.

The ALEA Casino at Clarence Dock is set to open in April this year. Before then the city's first water taxi will arrive, being moored at Clarence Dock and taking people up the river for meals and transport.

Gateway now has a gym and hairdressers and a convenience store shouldn't be far behind.

Other rumours include Starbucks and Armani coming to Clarence Dock in time for the summer.

Marks and Spencer will be joining John Lewis in the city's Eastgate Quarter development by launching one of their largest stores outside of London.

The 18,250 sq meter store will include a complete range of womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, as well as a full home offering, food hall with bakery and restaurant.

With the development also housing 600 new homes as well as the much talked about flagship John Lewis store it should make for some attractive property when it's completed in 2012.

The Eastgate Quarters development is a joint venture between Hammerson plc and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities plc. John Richards, Chief Executive of Hammerson, said: "I am delighted that one of the UK's most successful retailers has committed to our scheme. This is a major step forward in our bid to bring a retail offer of the highest quality to the people of Leeds and the surrounding areas. Securing Marks and Spencer as an anchor tenant is a great coup for the development.

While it may be four years away, this is promising news for those living in Leeds, even if by then we hope the problem of where to buy a pint of milk will be well and truly dead.

Construction work has begun on Lumiere, the KW Linfoot skyscraper that, once completed, will be the tallest residential building in Europe.

The building will occupy the space in front of West Point on Kirkstall Road (a previous Linfoot development). While this space is little more than a building site at present, this hasn't stopped sales from rocketing. Despite the recent bad press on city living in Leeds, 95% of the building's first phase have already been sold. David Waddington, sales and marketing director at KW Linfoot, places part of the building's early success on its position, saying: "This level of interest is testament to the scheme's exceptional proposition."

"There has been much negativity in the marketplace recently about the saturation of apartments in Leeds city centre," he continues. "Whilst we must all heed warnings about oversupply of mediocre product, our own experience is that the demand for high specification apartments within prime city centre pitch is still very much there."

With four years to completion it is estimated that the first residents will be moving in at the end of 2011.