Leeds-based developer, Priestley Homes, has acquired 2 Great George Street in the heart of the city centre and, subject to planning approval, it aims to transform the Grade II listed former Victorian school into 76 luxury apartments.

The £31million regeneration and new-build scheme wishes to bring the city centre’s first £1million-plus penthouses to the market.

Each 3,000 sq. ft. penthouse will feature floor to ceiling glazing throughout, luxury fittings, a private roof garden with hot tub, plus an indoor and outdoor kitchen bar area.

The building will feature luxury one-to-three-bedroom apartments throughout, with the two-bedroom apartments on lower floors offering up to 1,500 sq. ft. of living space.

All residences will be completed to the highest specification, with large, original windows, designer fixtures and fittings, underfloor heating, and the latest smart home technologies.

Nearly half of the apartments will also have a private outdoor area, with the addition of a communal roof-top garden, creating a social hub for all residents.

Alongside the communal roof-top garden, the development will also feature a private, on-site residents’ gym and concierge facilities.

Located in the city’s Northern Civic Quarter, just off Millennium Square, 2 Great George Street sits within a major regeneration zone and cultural hub known for its grand Victorian architecture.

The building dates to the 1900s when it was home to Leeds Central High. The site was adapted to offices for Leeds City Council, with staff continuing to work there until 2018.

A new future for the building was consented to in 2018; however, the original plans to convert the former school into a 173-bed premium lifestyle hotel were not finalised. Since then, the council offices have sat empty. Priestley Homes’ plans will regenerate the derelict property, creating a thriving residential community at the core of one of the busiest districts in Leeds.

Nathan Priestley, chief executive officer of the Priestley Group, said: “As a Leeds-based business, it’s great to be able to re-energise one of the grandest buildings in the city centre and transform it into must-have homes. We excel at breathing new life into heritage buildings with ambitious plans that are meticulously realised.

“Most of the development in Leeds city centre is allocated to student housing and PRS schemes. We believe there is a huge shortage of truly magnificent homes for owner-occupiers that give a taste of individuality and elegance; something that we will set out to deliver at 2 Great George Street.

“This is truly one of a kind for Leeds centre, rivalling high-end developments like One Hyde Park in London and beyond. We have focused on spacious, luxurious designs and going beyond the normal requirements for private outdoor spaces in listed conversions, reflecting the current work-from-home situation, and how we see city centre living evolving in the future.

“More attention is being directed at Leeds as an economic powerhouse in the North, with major organisations such as Channel 4 investing in the city. Demand for these properties is guaranteed to be strong when we launch the homes to market.”

Priestley Homes partnered with UK-wide specialist lender, Together, which provided a multi-million-pound facility to help purchase the site.

Ritchie Watson, lending director from Together, said: “We have previously partnered with Priestley Homes on several of its award-winning schemes, including recent flagship development, Conditioning House in Bradford. The developer is renowned for delivering exceptionally high-quality and innovative projects, and we are proud to be able to provide the finance to create these luxury apartments in a prime area of Leeds city centre.”

The planning application was lodged with Leeds City Council in February 2021, with a decision expected in late Spring. Priestley Homes’ main contractor, Priestley Construction, intends to begin work as soon as approval is granted, aiming for a Q4 2022 completion.