Platform wins commercial development of the year

Bruntwood has been awarded ‘commercial development of the year’ at the Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards which took place last Thursday night at New Dock Hall, Leeds. The award recognises Platform’s success as a commercial development and in bringing value to the wider city.

This year’s shortlist was particularly strong, with the likes of MEPC’s 3 Wellington Place, CEG’s Number One, Kirkstall Forge and many other promising nominees.

Since opening its doors a year ago Platform has welcomed a thriving community of 82 businesses. Many of these were investing in the city for the first time such as Reed Smith which opened its first Northern UK office at Platform. Nine months after Platform’s launch, 95% of office space was let or under offer; achieving record rents for Leeds city centre.

Platform is home to a dedicated technology incubator that welcomes growing tech businesses, acting as a hub for new ideas and concepts to be tested. These startups sit alongside multinational brands and the design of the shared space, including a lounge and rooftop terrace, encourage collaboration between neighbours.

Craig Burrow, regional director at Bruntwood, says “we’re delighted to have won the commercial development of the year award. Platform has now been open for a year and it’s been fantastic to see the way that the building has filled up and the community has developed.”

“Our aim from the start was always to create a building that not only provided workspace, but that was also designed to encourage collaboration between neighbours. We see this on a daily basis as people interact over a coffee in the lounge or take time away from their desk with our weekly yoga classes.”

“The delivery of Platform was a huge team effort that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of both the Bruntwood team and our many partners including DLG architects and RBA. Thank you to everyone who helped us bring our vision to life.”