In a significant move towards urban regeneration, plans have been unveiled to replace The Core shopping centre in Leeds with a state-of-the-art student and retail complex. The proposed development, designed by renowned architect Costorphine & Wright, will comprise 807 student bedrooms and approximately 36,000 sq ft of retail space at the ground level, introducing two modern arcades.

The ambitious project, spanning three blocks, will prioritize sustainability with the inclusion of low carbon air source heat pumps, water-saving fixtures, and energy-efficient ventilation and lighting systems. Notably, the buildings will be interconnected by lightweight bridges on the site’s western edge. The development, ranging between five and nine storeys, aims to enhance the public realm and retail experience, bolstering the east-to-west connectivity from Lands Lane to Albion Street.

Tri7, the firm behind the initiative, has expressed its intent to invest £250 million in similar bed-led regeneration projects across UK towns and cities associated with Russell Group universities. Samuel Castle, a partner at Tri7, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “Situated in the epicentre of one of the UK’s premier student cities, this venture epitomizes the kind of opportunity we aim to invest in. It aligns with the government’s recent emphasis on bed-led city centre regeneration as a pivotal solution to the UK’s housing challenges.”