Building of The Month: Indigo Blu
THE BUSINESS DESK
06 April 2011
By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor Yorkshire
IN THESE straitened times, to see any development is pleasing. To see a speculative office scheme rise from the ground is something to be celebrated.
Based on the former site of printing company Plowrights, Indigo Blu is the first development for Yorkshire-based Merin Properties.
The Leeds building, which stands opposite Crown Point Retail Park and adjacent to the soon-to-be-closed Tetley Brewery, is styled on the art-deco era of the print industry's hey day.
The name Indigo Blu is inspired by the popular print pigment and the building actually comprises a mix of residential and office space, cleverly designed so the two fit together.
The first tranche of the 46 one and two bedroom apartments at the site are expected to be completed over the coming months.
The office element of the scheme, which is ready for occupation, is set over two floors and provides up to 10,173 sq ft of accommodation, with suites available from 527 sq ft.
Its sleek design contrasts sharply with the tired facade of the brewery next door.
Although the development is a first for Merin, its parent company Maple Leaf Securities has completed a number of developments and re-furbishments.
Maple's most recent scheme was Tribeca House, a three storey office building which is let to a housing branch of Leeds City Council - Leeds East and North East, on the outskirts of Leeds.
Glenn Levison, partner at Sanderson Weatherall, which is joint agent on the scheme with Leeds-based WSB, believes Merin should be applauded for developing out a building speculatively in tough market conditions.
Mr Levison said that with location close to the motorway network Indigo Blu could become a "gateway" to the city.
That's a view shared by Don Little, managing director of Merin Properties, who has said the scheme "will provide a springboard for the revival of the area".
And with Leeds City Council wanting to regenerate the South Bank of Leeds to include a city centre park, Indigo Blu could be one of the first steps taken to revitalise an area sorely needing a boost.
