Work to start on site at No. 9 Bond Court

The refurbishment of 9 Bond Court in Leeds is the latest piece in the jigsaw of the regeneration of the Bond Court area, which has already seen the refurbishment of Minerva House.

The area will also see the building of a new 10-storey Dakota Hotel and new student housing plus the refurbishment of 2 Bond Court, Capitol House and the recently-purchased Aquis House as well as updates to the public realm area.

No. 9 Bond Court, which comprises 68,230 sq ft, has 15,500 sq ft of office space to lease. It is currently home to a number of firms including Stewarts Law, Redmayne-Bentley, Begbies Traynor and property agent Knight Frank.

A planning application has been approved for a new entrance to the building and floor-to-ceiling windows. Work is due to be completed in July 2015.

Alex Duckett, associate in the Leeds office of Knight Frank, which is joint marketing agent with Savills, said: “It was already impressive, with its height dominating the central Leeds cityscape, but it will now be transformed into a statement building.”

Meanwhile, Minerva House, which recently underwent a £5m makeover by owner Evans Property Group, has attracted law firm Gateley as its first new occupier. The firm has signed a 10-year lease for 7,500 sq ft, paying £24.50 per sq ft. The move will double its office size in the city. The firm, which has 25 members of staff in Leeds, is relocating from Toronto Square where it will sub-let its 3,880 sq ft office.

CBRE and JLL are joint agents on Minerva and Gateley was represented by Eddisons.