GMI hands over The Springs at Thorpe Park Leeds

GMI Construction Group has completed building works for the much-anticipated new 350,000 sq ft retail and leisure destination at Thorpe Park Leeds.

Phase two at Thorpe Park Leeds, including The Springs, is being developed by Scarborough International Properties Limited (SIPL), the UK and international real estate developer and its joint venture partner Legal & General.

‘The Springs’ launched last week to high praise as a much needed, high quality new retail and leisure offering for East Leeds. It forms a part of a wider 1.35 million sq ft development plan in phase two development at Thorpe Park Leeds.

As principal contractor GMI delivered the entire project in a complex 80-week phasing programme to coincide with a gas main diversion and major civils work being carried out on adjacent plots.

The Springs is occupied by M&S Foodhall, H&M, Next, TK Maxx, Outfit, Boots and leisure brands including Nando’s, Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant and Pure Gym. A 44,000 sq ft, 10-screen ODEON offering state of the art screen and audio technology and luxury seating, is also due to open in Spring 2019 with other high street leisure and retail occupiers due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Simon Marshall, Joint Chief Executive at Scarborough International Properties, said, “We were delighted to launch The Springs last week in partnership with a great team at GMI Construction. With historical knowledge of the site, which wasn’t without its challenges, GMI has shown great tenacity and outstanding flexibility in accommodating the demands of the project and its many changes to deliver a project of exceptional quality that sets a precedent across the UK. GMI had also worked closely with our team to exceed our commitment to creating new jobs and inspiring careers for young people in the region.”

Gordon Aitchison, Director, Head of Transactions at LGIM Real Assets, said: “The Springs looked amazing on opening and my thanks have to go to the team at GMI Construction who worked tirelessly from start to finish. We were very clear from the start that we wanted The Springs to stand out as an out of town retail and leisure destination of the future and GMI have played a critical role in helping us achieve this vision.”

Andy Bruce, Managing Director of GMI Construction Group said, “We are delighted to complete this project on budget and on time, despite the many challenges along the way, which included the diversion of a high-pressure gas main serving East Leeds.”

Historically GMI Construction has delivered all buildings, with the exception of the hotel, in phase one at Thorpe Park Leeds which includes 800,000 sq ft of office accommodation.

More recently, in phase two, it has delivered Paradigm, a 37,650 sq ft Grade A office scheme in the park which is now fully let, as well as all infrastructure and enabling works for the retail and leisure park.

Established in 1986, GMI Construction Group is a highly reputable building and construction services company offering expertise across all sectors including office, retail, leisure, industrial, residential, automotive, education and health. GMI Construction Group directly employs 100 people with 65 located at its Leeds headquarters and 35 at its new offices in Manchester.

GMI is also currently delivering the 137-bedroom Dakota Deluxe Hotel in Manchester for Evans Property Group, a 91-unit apartment scheme in Piccadilly Basin for Belgravia Living Group and 2,500,000 sq ft industrial space at Follingsby Max in Gateshead for Highgrove Group.