Developers Hammerson has this afternoon submitted an outline planning application to Leeds council for its £600 million Eastgate Quarters development - two years after the development stalled due to the economic downturn.
The one million square foot retail-led scheme will feature a two-level shopping arcade, a new civic square; the restoration of historic buildings; the largest shopper car park in the city with around 2,500 spaces; refurbished offices, and the pedestrianisation of all the streets within the scheme including Eastgate.
Eastgate Quarters will have in the region of 130 new stores ranging from top end high street retailers to international and independent brands and restaurants and cafes. The scheme will be anchored by a flagship John Lewis next to Kirkgate Market and Marks & Spencer.
Hammerson - which last September held a public consultation on its revised proposals for the site - hope the development will transform the site, most of which has been empty for the past four decades.
Andrew Hilston, project director for Hammerson, said Eastgate Quarters will create a new focus for the north east of the city centre and deliver 4,000 new jobs . He said that over the past two years the scheme has been fully reviewed and the new proposal better suits current retailer requirements and improves connectivity with neighbouring parts of the city.
Hilston said:
"We have had strong feedback on the revised proposal and the time taken to review the original principles has resulted in a best in class masterplan scheme. Retailers are impressed with the new design and the creation of a statement street on Eastgate."
Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member responsible for development, said that the submission of the Eastgate Quarters application demonstrated confidence in Leeds.
