Cartwright
Pickard

Leonardo is a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in the heart of Leeds, delivering 473 high-quality student bedrooms within a 5-10 minute walk of The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, and Leeds Teaching Hospital. 

This landmark development combines sensitive heritage restoration with modern, sustainable design to create a premium live-study environment in an area of high student demand.

The project involved the significant retention and refurbishment of two Grade II listed heritage buildings formerly owned and used as offices by the local council. Lightweight modular construction was used to create new floors of accommodation at roof level, and a modern office block, the concrete frame of which has been preserved, was repurposed to reposition the building’s primary use. 

The new build element, providing 258 premium bedrooms across 11 floors, replaces a former car park, elevating the quality and range of PBSA options in the area.

Adapting Historic Buildings for Student Living

Two Grade II listed heritage buildings have been meticulously restored, preserving their historical significance while adapting them for modern student living. The design respects the architectural heritage of the site while integrating contemporary elements that enhance both function and aesthetic appeal. 

The project reinstates the original scale and identity of the existing buildings while celebrating key communal areas, such as the prominent main entrance on Great George Street. 

The rejuvenation of these historic structures creates a unique sense of place, offering students a residence immersed in the city’s rich heritage.

The New Build Element

A former car park has been transformed into a striking new 11-storey building housing 258 premium student bedrooms. 

The original courtyard has been extended and covered by a lightweight, transparent ETFE roof, providing a sheltered communal space while maintaining the integrity of the surrounding heritage elevations. The ETFE pillows subtly diffuse light and shelter the courtyard from the elements, offering a sensitive solution without negatively impacting the heritage elevations of the existing buildings. 

Additionally, the scheme includes high-quality communal spaces, study areas, and fitness facilities, ensuring students have a comfortable and engaging living experience.

Our Sustainability Approach

Balancing high levels of sustainability with a sensitive approach to the historic buildings presented many of the project’s key challenges. After careful consultation, supported by a rigorous sustainability assessment and subsequent strategy, a range of sustainable measures were implemented. 

Operational carbon emissions are minimised through connection to the City Council’s low-carbon district heating system, as well as through a thermally efficient fabric and the use of rooftop photovoltaic panels. All windows have been replaced to complement existing materials for consistency while providing high-quality thermal upgrades. 

This exercise involved close collaboration with heritage window specialists and the local Heritage Office to agree on the final profile of the new windows.

Further sections of the existing structure were retained. Due to the nature of the existing building at early design stages, a decision was made post-strip-out to salvage and repurpose more of the building’s frame. 

This required a series of workshops with the structural engineer and steel specialists to achieve the desired aesthetic of exposed steel and to extend the existing frame to accommodate new levels. 

The office building’s concrete and steel frame has been retained and transformed, mitigating reliance on natural resources.

Improving Access and Circulation

Accessibility, inclusivity, and circulation have been greatly improved by introducing level access, enhancing vertical circulation, creating new connections where required, and rationalising existing circulation routes. 

This ensures the building supports the widest possible range of mobility needs and enables an equitable experience for all.

The innovative use of lightweight modular construction has enabled additional accommodation to be added at roof level without overloading the existing structure. 

This approach not only optimises space but also reduces construction time and waste, aligning with modern, sustainable building practices.

Combining Old With New

By breathing new life into buildings that had been unoccupied since 2018, Leonardo provides students with a dynamic and characterful home. The scheme not only enhances the cityscape but also sets a benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration, balancing heritage conservation with innovative new build elements. 

The carefully designed communal spaces foster a sense of community and well-being, while the mix of old and new architecture creates a unique living experience.

More Than a Place to Live

The project’s emphasis on sustainability, heritage preservation, and student well-being ensures that Leonardo is more than just a place to live; it enhances the city’s cultural and architectural fabric. The scheme also demonstrates how sensitive restoration, modern design, and sustainable building practices can come together to create a lasting positive impact on the built environment. 

Leonardo is a testament to how thoughtful design and sustainable practices can transform a historic site into a vibrant, future-focused living space, setting new standards for student accommodation in Leeds and the wider region.