Leeds’ Eastgate Quarter regeneration advances, signalling digital construction opportunities across UK urban development markets.
The £1bn regeneration of Eastgate Quarter marks a significant advance for city-centre renewal and digital construction delivery in the UK. The joint venture between Khalbros and Torsion Group has appointed a consultant team to deliver one of the largest mixed-use regeneration projects in Leeds.
For digital construction professionals, the project demonstrates how BIM-enabled urban regeneration, sustainable masterplanning, and integrated consultancy collaboration are shaping future city development.
Expanding Leeds city centre footprint
Eastgate Quarter is the final major undeveloped site within Leeds city centre, covering four hectares from Vicar Lane to Bridge Street and from Lady Lane to the A64(M). The regeneration will extend the commercial and residential core, introducing new homes, flexible workspaces, leisure facilities and hospitality venues within a digitally enabled, mixed-use neighbourhood.
The project aims to integrate placemaking, sustainability, and heritage reuse while delivering public and green spaces. These priorities align with long-term strategies supporting inclusive economic growth and climate-conscious urban development.
David Khalastchi, Managing Partner of Khalbros, said: “Eastgate Quarter is a defining moment for Leeds as the final major regeneration opportunity within the inner city centre. Through these appointments, we are introducing Eastgate Quarter as a project of international significance, imbued with Leeds’ unmistakable character.
“We, along with our investors, are proud to contribute to the long-term transformation of the city and shape the future of Leeds.”
Consultant appointments strengthen digital construction delivery
The appointed team brings together regional expertise with international design capability. Lead architect and masterplanner FeildenCleggBradley Studios will work alongside Danish urban design practice SLA to shape the quarter’s public realm and landscape strategy.
FCB Studios already has a strong connection with Leeds, having designed projects for Leeds Beckett University and masterplanned Wellington Place, now a major mixed-use business district.
Senior Partner Alex Whitbread explained: “Eastgate has been a forgotten part of the city centre for decades. In its place our ambition is to shape a new mixed-use neighbourhood rooted in Leeds’ character, where sustainability, density and quality of place work together.
“Our approach will bring new life to long-empty buildings and create a dynamic new public realm where we currently have empty lots and car parking. This new quarter will reconnect with surrounding residential neighbourhoods and help bring forward Leeds’ ambitions for an expanding city centre. Eastgate Quarter has the potential to set a new benchmark for socially responsible urban development and leave a lasting legacy for Leeds.”
SLA will focus on biodiversity integration, green infrastructure, climate resilience and people-centred urban environments. Design Principal Rasmus Astrup said: “We are thrilled to be working on such an important and transformative scheme for Leeds. Informed by Leeds’ unique heritage, our ambition is to help turn Eastgate into a true ‘Greengate’ – a neighbourhood where city nature, public life, and green infrastructure become the driving forces for regeneration.”
Regional consultants support BIM-led regeneration planning
Planning consultancy services are being delivered by ID Planning, while structural and civil engineering support comes from Roscoe. Transport and highways strategy is led by AMA.
A further group of Yorkshire-based specialists strengthens delivery capability, including Urban Wilderness for visual impact assessment, Futures ecology for ecological strategy, Prospect for heritage archaeology, and Social supporting consultation and community engagement.
Additional technical input comes from FD Global on wind assessments, Levrant for heritage reuse, GIA Consulting delivering daylight and sunlight analysis, Tace on utilities strategy, and GDR Group (UK) Ltd overseeing equality and inclusion compliance.
Digital construction and consultation shape next project phase
The proposals are currently progressing through pre-application discussions with Leeds City Council, ensuring alignment with inclusive growth and regeneration strategies. Public consultation scheduled for early 2026 will allow residents and businesses to influence the final masterplan.
Dan Spencer, Founder and CEO of Torsion Group, commented: “This is a pivotal step in bringing the transformative vision for the Eastgate Quarter in Leeds to life. We are proud to have appointed such a strong and talented consultant team that brings together the best of Leeds-based and international expertise.
“The calibre of the team reflects the scale of our ambition for this development and our commitment to bring forward a scheme that supports the Council’s aspirations for inclusive economic growth and leaves a positive legacy for future generations.”
Eastgate Quarter demonstrates how collaborative digital construction, sustainable urban regeneration, and integrated consultancy delivery models are shaping resilient, inclusive city-centre communities across the UK construction sector.
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