Developer
We are the developers and client for the Leeds Arena project. As a developer we are ultimately responsible for designing and constructing the arena and will own the arena building when complete.
Construction Contractor
We have appointed BAM Construction as the construction contractor and the construction contract is now signed. BAM have been selected under a two stage design and build route, and BAM's selected design team will conclude the Leeds Arena design from RIBA stage E onwards.
BAM is a construction company with a strong national and international profile. BAM's projects include:
- The O2 Berlin Arena
- Soccer City - the venue to host the 2010 world cup final
- Leeds Rose Bowl
- Leeds City Varieties
BAM will utilise skills and experience from the 2010 world cup team alongside localised knowledge to deliver the unique Leeds Arena. BAM has appointed Populous to be lead designer and architect; Arup to provide support on engineering services, building services, sustainability and acoustics. Whitelaw Turkington have been appointed to deliver landscape architecture services. This team brings experience on wide ranging projects. A selection of these include:
- The London O2 Arena
- The O2 Dublin
- The new Wembley stadium
- Headingley Carnegie Pavilion
Quantity Surveyor
Davis Langdon LLP provide project management services and are quantity surveyors, employer's agent for the Leeds Arena project. Davis Langdon bring high levels of experience of such a role and have worked on arena projects including the Echo Arena Liverpool and Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
Planning agent
Arup are the planning agents for the Leeds Arena project with responsibility for submitting outline planning permissions for the scheme. The appointment of Arup ensures transparency between the role of the council as planning authority and of Leeds Arena developer.
Financial and business advisors
IPW were the financial and business advisors, providing ongoing input into the funding and overall delivery of the project. The team of arena specialists have been involved with the arena project from the initial feasibility stage to date, and their team led the successful operator procurement process.
Commercial agent
Christie and Co are commercial agents who are exploring the potential for further developments on the Arena site such as bars, restaurants or other ancillary activities that will help create a new sense of place for the currently brownfield area of Leeds.
Legal Services
Cobbetts is the Arena Projects legal advisors providing legal advice and support for various aspects of the project. Cobbetts is a top 40 full service law firm with offices in Birmingham, Leeds, London and Manchester and provide a wealth of expertise.
Design
Team to RIBA Stage D
We appointed our strategic design partner, Jacobs, to lead a multi-disciplinary design team to conclude the design the Leeds Arena to the end of RIBA stage D. Jacobs appointed Populous to offer them specialist arena architectural expertise. Work of the Strategic Design Alliance includes:
- The refurbishment of City Varieties
- New headquarters for Northern Ballet theatre
Jacobs' team also included Vanguardia Consulting as the Leeds Arena acousticians. Vanguardia have designed architectural acoustic services for the 2012 Olympic Stadium and the London O2 Arena amongst many more. Another key member of the Jacobs team were Whitelaw Turkington.
Technical Advisor
to RIBA stage D
Arup provided independent technical advise to the project and quality assured the Leeds Arena design from RIBA stages A to the conclusion of stage D.