Design, nature and community converge at Aire Park

Developed by Vastint UK, this 24-acre mixed-use neighbourhood brings together almost a million square feet of commercial space, 1,400 new homes, and an eight-acre city park – the largest new city centre green space in the UK. 

The site, once occupied by Tetley’s Brewery, reconnects Leeds with its industrial past while ushering in a vibrant, sustainable future. Alongside new buildings, the development retains historic landmarks such as The Tetley Art Gallery and Salem Chapel, blending old and new with care and creativity. Simon Schofield, head of development north at Vastint UK, said that they are “looking forward to writing a new chapter in South Brook Street’s history with the launch of Aire Park’s new commercial space.” The first two buildings, 1 and 3 South Brook Street, offer 190,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space, designed with ESG and resilience at their core, targeting BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold certifications.

Within these landmark buildings, designers turnerbates have delivered a vision for interiors that placed human experience and sustainability at the centre – supported by Solus, who supplied sustainable ceramic tiles for the project. 

turnerbates’ work at Aire Park focused on the interiors of The Atrium and The Lobby, establishing a tone of warmth and welcome. Lead Designer and Associate Joanna Gomm explained that “we wanted to design spaces people would want to use, not just pass through.” With a strong background in hospitality projects, turnerbates translated that sense of comfort and invitation into a working environment, avoiding the cold, sterile feel of traditional corporate lobbies.

The design concept was deeply informed by Vastint’s brand vision of “Stronger by Nature”, realised by Vastint’s Head of Design, Mark Burke. Natural textures, sculptural forms, and earthy colours dominate the spaces, creating an authentic connection between the interiors and the eight-acre park beyond. “We wanted to create a sense of place using the immediate locality and language of nature,” said Joanna. A key feature of The Atrium is the suspended sculpture: delicate petals formed from copper mesh, inspired by the magnolia trees planted throughout Aire Park.

Flow was a central design principle throughout the project. Drawing on similar experiences from projects in Vilnius, Joanna explained that the goal was to create a space that encouraged movement without barriers, keeping the environment dynamic and open. 

Delivering The Atrium was not without its challenges. Heating and cooling such a large, open space presented technical hurdles, particularly as it had to remain visually light and inviting. “The Atrium space was where the meat of the challenge lay,” said Joanna. “Getting the ceiling and the lighting design right was critical. We had to create dynamic, sculptural features that captured attention without becoming barriers to flow.

Materials played a vital role in the success of the interiors. Solus provided sustainable ceramic tiles that supported the project's environmental ambitions while complementing the crafted, natural aesthetic developed by turnerbates. 

turnerbates’ longstanding relationship with Vastint proved crucial throughout the process. Joanna said, “Vastint are a dream client — committed to sustainability, open to creative ideas, and always focused on how people will actually use the spaces.” She also praised the Leeds construction team from Vastint – Scott, Simon, and Dan – for their support, and Megan for her role in bringing the brand vision to life. 

Thanks to this collaboration, Aire Park’s interiors successfully embody the spirit of Leeds’ South Bank transformation. 

Joanna summarised the project simply: “It’s about creating places that people connect with, that reflect their environment and celebrate their city’s identity. Leeds is stronger by nature – and Aire Park embodies that perfectly.”