Marking the only major retail scheme to launch in the UK in 2016, Hammerson’s latest regeneration project, Victoria Gate in Leeds, today opens its doors to the public.
The €184,4m (£165m) scheme, adjacent to Hammerson’s Victoria Quarter arcade, forms part of the new 53,400m² Victoria Leeds shopping destination. This will create the largest premium retail and leisure venue in Northern England moving Leeds up to third in the UK’s best place to shop retail rankings (Javelin).
Designed by architects Acme, the development provides Leeds with a 21st century retail arcade and is an exceptional addition to the city’s rich merchandising and textile history. Its striking façade takes inspiration from the surrounding architecture of Leeds’ historic buildings and uses a mixture of white terracotta and red bricks which were manufactured in Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
The scheme is anchored by a flagship John Lewis store, which is the first in Leeds and the largest outside of London with Victoria Gate’s two street arcade also boasting 30 new retail brands and restaurants, as well as a casino.
The scheme is 90% let and the aspirational retail line-up includes global brands such as Russell & Bromley, Nespresso, Gant, Hackett, Tommy Hilfiger, Cau, Joules, Aspinal of London, Le Pain Quotidien, Neom Organics, T2, Anthropologie and international restaurant group D&D. 77% of the line-up are debuting in Leeds and 33% of the brands are new to Hammerson’s retail portfolio.
The scheme will deliver customers with a best-in-class experience with the development incorporating exceptional customer service and digital innovation by offering click & collect services, gift wrapping, currency exchange as well as a luxury concierge service.
