Winvic secures £130m contract to build 33 and 22-storey BTR towers at Lisbon Street Leeds after clearing Gateway 2, completing a £330m transformation of the former International Swimming Pool site
Winvic has won a £130 million contract to build twin residential towers of 33 and 22 storeys at Lisbon Street Leeds, delivering 578 build-to-rent apartments on the former International Swimming Pool site. The scheme cleared the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway 2 approval this month, with construction expected to start in late autumn 2026. Winvic has been appointed by Lisbon Street Developments, a joint venture between Marrico Asset Management and Helios Real Estate — the same developers behind the room2 hotel that Caddick Construction is currently building on the adjacent plot. The BTR towers are the third major phase on the site, following the 548-bed Threadworks student accommodation that Winvic completed last year and the 200-room room2 hotel now under construction.
Why This Matters For Leeds
This is the third phase of a £330 million transformation of a single city centre site 548 student beds, 200 hotel rooms, and now 578 BTR apartments. Winvic returning to the same site for a third project demonstrates confidence in both the contractor and the location.
What the Lisbon Street Leeds Towers Will Include
The two towers will rise from a shared podium and basement, with resident amenity space, commercial units, roof terraces, and balconies. The scheme is designed to achieve a Home Quality Mark 3.5-star rating, incorporating photovoltaic panels, decentralised air source heat pumps, and enhanced building fabric to reduce operational energy demand. The site was acquired from Leeds City Council in November 2024, with the purchase financed by The Ardent Companies — a US-based real estate firm making its UK lending debut through the deal. DMWR’s Manchester office designed the towers. Mark Jones, managing director for multi-room at Winvic, said the scheme’s scale, complexity, and prominent city centre location make it an exciting addition to the firm’s portfolio.
“Working in partnership with Marrico Asset Management, we look forward to delivering a high-quality residential scheme that will contribute to Leeds’ continued growth and provide homes in a thriving city centre location. Following our recent work on the same site, this development is a great example of our capability.”
— Mark Jones, Managing Director Multi-Room, Winvic
The Full Lisbon Street Picture
The former International Swimming Pool site is being transformed into one of the largest mixed-use developments in the city centre. Phase 1, the 548-bed Threadworks student accommodation, was completed by Winvic in October 2025 and is now fully occupied. Phase 2, the 200-room room2 hotel operated by Lamington Group, is being built by Caddick Construction with completion expected in Spring 2028. Phase 3, the 578 BTR apartments at Lisbon Street Leeds, now has Gateway 2 approval and a £130 million construction contract. The original masterplan also includes provision for 120,000 sq ft of Grade A office space. The development sits within a rapidly evolving part of the West End, alongside Wellington Place, Urbanite Living’s three-tower residential project at the former Yorkshire Post site, and Bruntwood’s West Village.
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- Learn more about Winvic: https://winvic.co.uk/
