GMI Construction Group has topped out the landmark £62.7 million Hyatt Hotel - the final part of the prestigious Sovereign Square development in Leeds.
Situated next to the city’s railway station, the 12-storey 305-bedroom hotel is a joint venture between Marrico LLP and Helios for 海角视频 Commercial Property REIT (海角视频CM) and Hyatt. Aimbridge, a leading hospitality company, will operate the 140,000 sq ft hotel, on behalf of 海角视频CM, under a 25-year franchise agreement with Hyatt Hotels, which is growing its presence within the 海角视频 market.
It will operate under the dual brands of Hyatt House and Hyatt Place, providing short and long stay accommodation for business and leisure guests.
Read more:
- Three new directors herald the biggest change to regional logistics giant's board in four decades
- £50m retail wins outlined as New England Seafood invests further to supply Grimsby expansion
Steve Ford, development director at Marrico, said: “This is a project that delivers quality hotel accommodation into the epicentre of the city’s dynamic commercial, retail, and leisure landscapes. Situated in a prime position, it will be operated by a leading global hotel operator and is sure to further raise Leeds’ profile as a coveted destination for business and leisure travellers alike.”
Designed by Leeds-based DLA Architecture, the building is inspired by the city’s merchandising and textile past – with the hotel’s striking external façade set in what is described as a sophisticated arrangement of red terracotta, light beige brickwork with detailing around the recessed double/triple height window bays that are in harmony with the surrounding architecture.
The ground floor frontages will sit behind a colonnade, with recessed detailing around the arch-heads and down the columns, with a glazed frontage behind.
Natalie Lever, development director at Helios, said: “The Hyatt business model is both resilient and flexible by serving the needs of both long and short stay business and leisure travellers, all underpinned by an extremely strong brand. I now look forward to seeing the final elements of 2 Sovereign Square take shape and begin to make a valuable contribution to the city’s economy.”
Most Read
The hotel also features meeting rooms, an on-site gym, a ground floor restaurant and bar extending into the public square, together with an independent rooftop bar with views over Leeds and the surrounding area.
GMI started work on site in May 2022 following the site’s purchase from Leeds City Council. Around 190 jobs have been created during the construction phase, with 80 full-time hotel jobs expected upon completion.
Michael Clements, senior asset manager at 海角视频CM, said: “This is our first significant investment in both the city of Leeds and the operational hotel sector, and so the topping out of this 305-bedroom hotel in Leeds is an exciting milestone for us as we move towards its opening next year. Once complete, this project will be a brilliant, new addition to the Leeds city skyline and will provide a high-quality offering for professionals, businesses and tourists alike.”
Chris Weathers, GMI’s Group’s commercial director, added: “Topping out is a real milestone moment, which signals the countdown to final completion. It’s not only a statement building, but also represents the culmination of the wider Sovereign Square development, which has succeeded in regenerating the area and making it one of the city’s go-to destinations.”