Highstone Estates is planning a £5m refurbishment of the Victoria Quarter in Leeds and has confirmed its first signings for the shopping centre.
The Paul Sykes Group subsidiary, which bought the shopping centre in June from the Prudential, will apply to upgrade the Grade II listed arcade in the next six to eight weeks.
Consent is expected early next year for an 18-month refurbishment, providing units ranging from 65 sq m (700 sq ft) to 464.5 sq m (5,000 sq ft).
Highstones Chris Dalzell said: “We are extending and combining units to provide larger shops, which tenants currently want. We are also upgrading the public areas, moving a fountain and some screens to improve customer flow.”
Highstone also confirmed it has signed its first tenants for the centre. Fashion retailer All Saints will this week open its first shop outside London in the Quarter’s County Arcade. The 83.6 sq m (900 sq ft) unit is on a rolling 12-month lease at £32,000 pa until refurbishment is complete. The store will then double in size.
Diesel has taken an assignment from Uth’s 232m sq (2,500 sq ft) unit at a rent of £40,000 pa on a 10-year lease, with a halfway review.
Marketing agent King Sturge and retail specialist Fawley & Booth also confirmed plans to sign Versace, DKNY, Whistles, Mango, Armani, Rockport and Quicksilver.
EGi News 02/10/01
