KPMG eyes new Leeds HQ
KPMG enters nine-month exclusivity deal with Leeds City Council for a potential new HQ
RELOCATION COULD BE on the cards for KPMG, after it entered a nine-month exclusivity period with Leeds City Council to explore options for a new building at Criterion Place.
KPMG’s current regional HQ is based on Neville Street, which is home to 750 employees with a 2015 lease expiry.
“In the face of a challenging property development market we are pursuing an innovative route to meeting our future office requirements by taking on an active role of development partner,” said KPMG Leeds office senior partner Iain Moffat.
“Though at a very early feasibility stage, our agreement with Leeds City Council is an exciting step forward in our planning towards the future of KPMG in Leeds. We are continuing to consider all options but, clearly, will be focusing on the opportunity presented by Criterion Place in the coming months.”
Criterion Place has been a brownfield site for more than 20 years, and is currently used as a car park.
The council is working on a draft plan for the site that would house KPMG in one building, with a multi-storey car park based on one of another two buildings on the site.
“The council is keen to re-invigorate development in the city centre,” said councillor Richard Lewis. “This is an exciting development opportunity which could help fund the new proposed city centre green space on this site and boost the construction industry, bringing additional investment and jobs to the city.”