Leeds College of Building expanded their estates’ portfolio as they officially opened phase two of the South Bank Campus, a £13m development
Representatives from Leeds College of Building, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), Clugston Construction, and the Lord Mayor of Leeds attended the opening ceremony.
Leeds College of Building, the UK’s only specialist further education construction college, received an £11.9m investment from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1bn package of government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Designed by Fuse, this phase-two development sits in a prominent position alongside the existing College building (also designed by Fuse and opened in 2015 between Cudbear Street and Black Bull Street). The new state-of-the-art 5,200 square metre, the four-storey building boasts a range of classrooms, workshops and a dynamic central atrium, which acts as the building’s main communal and circulation space.
A large proportion of Leeds College of Building’s 6,000 students will attend the two South Bank sites, with the remainder using the College’s North Street Campus (which benefitted from £1m of the funding for refurbishment and the relocation of one of the largest Painting & Decorating training facilities of its kind in the UK).
Roger Marsh OBE, chair of the LEP, said: “The Leeds City Region is proud to host the UK’s only specialist further education construction college. The new campus, right here in the heart of the regenerated South Bank area, is one of our biggest educational assets and will help to address the skills gap that exists in the industry.
“We talk about creating a city region where young people can thrive and achieve their dreams and here, we have a shining example of how we’re laying the foundations for future economic growth that will benefit the whole of Leeds City Region.”
Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority board member, said: “It is fantastic news that phase two of the Leeds College of Building South Bank Campus redevelopment is now officially open. We want to ensure that the facilities for students in Leeds are of the highest possible standard.
“This new campus certainly meets these criteria and will offer a wonderful environment in which students can learn the skills they need to prosper in the construction industry.”
Mike Harris, director at Fuse added: “Its four years since phase one of the South Bank campus opened and it has quickly become a prominent South Bank landmark. This new building complements this perfectly, featuring materials and an architectural language, which also echo the area’s industrial heritage. It’s another highly sustainable building, with a BREEAM Excellent rating.”
Rod Fry, construction director of Clugston (the project’s main contractors) said: “We are delighted to have played a part in delivering a facility that will play a pivotal role in training the next generation of people for the construction industry.”
