Development

Leeds School of Arts

Downing property development
Leeds Beckett University upper ground floor
Leeds Beckett University performing arts studio
/01

Educational

Leeds, UK

155,786 sq ft

ÂŁ80million

Complete

The scheme, which was designed by Hawkins Brown and built by Downing offers a 180-seat theatre, a 220-seat Dolby Atmos cinema, recording studios, TV studio and film studios, as well as numerous other diverse teaching and breakout spaces.

The entrance foyer is designed as a welcoming, open space, accommodating a 4.5m level change across the site with a feature staircase that connects the publicly accessible areas of the building. An atrium that rises up to the fifth floor is animated by projecting social learning spaces, writing sheds and conversation dens. The lower floors of the building house the theatre, triple height TV studio and  cinema.

Key features

Recording studios, TV

studio and film studio

180-seat

performance theatre

220-seat Dolby

Atmos movie cinema

Multiple performance

and event spaces

Location

Calverly Street, Portland Way Leeds

The new School of Arts building, located in Portland Street at the edge of the Civic Quarter of Leeds, occupies a prominent site 10 minutes’ walk from the main cultural and retail amenities of the city centre. It is the final phase of delivery of a Downing masterplan, adding to the 500,000 sq f of student accommodation within Downing’s Central Campus Development. With Leeds General Infirmary to the West, the site is clearly visible from Millennium Square and is directly opposite the listed Civic Hall to the East.