Design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe has been shortlisted in the British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Awards (Northern) 2026, in the Commercial Workplace category, for City Square House in Leeds.

The winners will be announced on 6 May at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. The nomination recognises the quality and ambition of the 140,000 sq ft scheme, which has turned a long-vacant gateway site into a future-focused commercial workplace.

City Square House, delivered by McAleer & Rushe for MRP beside Leeds Station, is a 12-storey Grade A office building offering large, flexible floorplates tailored to modern occupiers. The project brings architectural distinction, commercial resilience and strong sustainability performance to a key city centre location.

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Defined by its trapezoidal massing, high-quality limestone and glass façade and a generous recessed entrance, the building creates a confident civic presence while respecting its context. Technical delivery featured deep basement construction, a highly coordinated steel frame and an offsite-manufactured unitised façade system to enhance precision, quality and programme efficiency.

With occupier wellbeing and long-term performance at its core, the scheme provides clear-span floorplates, 2.9 m floor-to-ceiling heights, abundant natural daylight, CO2-responsive ventilation, smartphone-enabled access and best-in-class end-of-journey facilities. It has achieved BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Platinum ratings, reflecting strong credentials in sustainability, energy performance and digital connectivity.

Fully electric and powered by air-source heat pumps, a 160 m² photovoltaic array, regenerative lifts and smart controls, the development reports a 50% reduction in embodied carbon and a 98.5% recycling rate during construction. Commercial outcomes include 84% pre-letting during build, alongside a wider social impact comprising £13.8 million in local spend, nine apprenticeships, 13 work placements and engagement with 154 young people.

The project was delivered through close collaboration across the team, combining design quality, construction excellence and leading sustainability to create a landmark workplace that delivers lasting value for Leeds.