THE architects behind the stunning redevelopment of a cluster of heritage buildings in Leicester into a new home for creative businesses are set to be one of its first tenants.
Project architects and multidisciplinary practice rg+p was the first business to sign up for a tenancy at Canopy – a new workspace at the former Pilot House site on King Street.
Leicester City Council is leading the £13.3 million project to transform the council-owned former factory buildings into a new development offering 33,000sqft of high-quality accommodation for creative businesses in the heart of the city centre.
The ambitious redevelopment will offer a range of attractive workspaces alongside meeting rooms and conference facilities, a co-working lounge, reception area and outdoor courtyard.
The public will also be able to enjoy Canopy’s central hub area which will offer event and exhibition space and a café.
Existing heritage features – including exposed brick and beams and original parquet flooring – have been retained. These have been complemented with bold and contemporary elements including a stunning glazed roof in the central hub area and a new entrance on King Street.
The design was developed by rg+p which won the contract following a competitive tendering exercise. The practice will relocate its Leicester studio to Canopy, while maintaining its London and Birmingham studios.
Rob Woolston, rg+p’s director, said: “Our connection with the Pilot House buildings is well established, having won the original competition to design its redevelopment in 2022.
“Since then, we’ve worked closely with the city council to develop a design to bring this fascinating cluster of former factory buildings back into productive use while retaining their historic character.
“With the lease on our current studio ending, we quickly realised the space we were looking for was the one that we are incredibly proud to have helped to create. We’re looking forward to making Canopy our new home.
“This will mark a significant step forward for our continued growth in Leicester, which has been our home for 45 years. Canopy is a great fit for our company and we’re proud to become the anchor tenant.” added Rob.
Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This ambitious project is transforming a group of significant but disused heritage buildings into a new creative hub for start-up and growing businesses and a landmark destination that will become a source of pride for Leicester.
“Along with supporting hundreds of high-quality jobs in the city’s thriving creative sector, this important redevelopment will contribute to the wider regeneration and prosperity of King Street, Belvoir Street, Market Street and the New Walk area. It will also complement recent landmark developments like the Gresham Building.
“The fact that the project’s architects, rg+p were the first confirmed tenants of Canopy is hugely encouraging. It’s a clear endorsement of what a well-considered and architecturally stunning new workspace they have helped to create.”
Canopy is due to open in autumn 2025. Nine of the 25 available workspaces there have now been let.
Construction work has been undertaken by Henry Brothers Construction under contract to Leicester City Council.
MD of Henry Brothers Construction Ian Taylor said: “We are incredibly proud to have delivered Canopy, which will breathe new life into this area of Leicester.
“This project strengthens our portfolio of work in Leicester, and it has been good to work with the city council and our construction partners to deliver such a wonderful scheme which offers such potential for the city.”
The new workspace will support the city’s creative and design sector, becoming a base for businesses with a focus on enterprise and innovation. Tenants could include software and tech designers, designer makers, digital artists and filmmakers, and fashion and textile businesses.
It will help to support around 250 jobs in the city centre.
Canopy will be run by the team that manages the city council’s successful LCB Depot, Phoenix Square and Makers’ Yard workspaces in Leicester’s cultural quarter.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the workspaces available at Canopy can email workspace development manager James Burkmar at Canopy@lcbdepot.co.uk
The redevelopment is supported by £8.6 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Last year, Leicester was named among the top five UK cities for creatives in a list compiled by Adobe Express.
(Photo credits: Christopher Terry Photography)