Sky Plaza | Comp | 103m | 37fl

[Leeds No.1]

The green helps the tower to link into the rest of the city. It's the same shade of the green on the Rose Bowl, and on St. James'.

[Dan B]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harryha.../in/pool-leeds

[Leeds No.1]

Article has video with it too. Sky Plaza is 105m according to Simon Jones of Unite, not 103m.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/video...nts.5123738.jp
Living it up: High-rise students in the lap of luxury

31 March 2009
Andrew Robinson

IT'S more yuppie than Young Ones: welcome to student tower block Sky Plaza, where rents are up to £179 per week, the views are the best in Leeds and there are no threadbare carpets or mouldy walls.
At 105 metres (just over 344ft), the 37-storey building is the highest point in Leeds and its residents can claim to be the comfiest students for miles around.

Those who can afford it – whether through hard work, loans or parental help – will have flat screen TVs and Sky, designer wallpaper, king-size double beds, leather sofas, fitted kitchens and huge American-style fridge freezers.

Those on the 19th floor and above get their own private lift and when it opens in September can live the kind of lifestyle often associated with well-paid city workers.

Despite the recession, the 533 flats are being snapped up by British and overseas students, says Simon Jones, operations director with Unite, the country's largest provider of student accommodation.

He expects around a third of Sky Plaza's tenants to be students from abroad, many from South Korea, China and Malaysia.

Such luxury accommodation appeals to those who prefer "hassle-free living" with no hidden extras and a landlord that can be trusted, he argues.

"And this is a great location, slap bang in the middle of everything."

Mr Jones adds: "Sky Plaza raises the bar for student accommodation in Leeds. Residents will be able to enjoy stunning views of the city, and luxurious contemporary living will come as standard, with all bedrooms from the 19th floor up boasting flat screen TVs, wood- effect flooring and leather seating. They will even have access to a private lift."

With its huge student population, Leeds is a key spot for Unite and the firm's research has shown that more students want flats close to colleges.

"Students in Leeds have traditionally lived just outside of the city in Hyde Park and Headingley," he says.

"Our research shows students are increasingly looking for city centre locations close to their universities. They also don't want to give up the comforts of home and are demanding more from their living experience – a trend we expect to continue into the future."

The Clay Pit Lane site is just a short walk from both universities and close to bars, shops and restaurants.

The decision to build high was one of simple economics, according to Mr Jones.

"City centre locations come at a premium so it makes economic sense to build upwards. We also wanted to create something with a wow factor to reflect the quality of the interior.

"We are offering the kind of loft style living that young professionals are used to. The interior designed rooms look more like those of top Leeds hotels."

Demand for such top-end accommodation is growing, he says, despite the economic downturn.

Students Zara Lo and Georgina Balmer, both 19, are already excited about moving in.

Zara, from Bangor in Northern Ireland, said the city centre location and the modern fittings appealed to her most.

"It is near the clubs and bars, so we don't need to get taxis all the time. My friends don't have nice sofas, just chairs, and they have mouldy showers."

Paying the rent will be difficult, she says. "We end up struggling but it's OK. I am trying to get a job in Leeds but it's hard. When I go home I work all the time."

Georgina, from Shrewsbury, declared the flats "nice and classy" and "really good value for money", with the use of a gym and launderette part of the deal.

And if students think the Sky Plaza flats are pricey, they should look at Unite's flats in London, which range from a relatively modest £185 per week per person to an eye-watering £513 for a top-spec one-bed flat in Woburn Place in Bloomsbury.

Over a three-year course this would mean forking out about £75,000 in rent.

[Stefan88]

The flats do look nice, but £179 a week is far to expensive considering it's student accomodation.
I wonder if they'll be charging the same amount in a few years time when the flats will look awful from the damage the previous tenants have made.

[Subliving]

The council are quick to pick up in the hieght increase. They're wanting it rectified or a resubmission of the planning application.

www.leeds.gov.uk

Subliving.

[Leeds No.1]

Originally Posted by Stefan88

The flats do look nice, but £179 a week is far to expensive considering it's student accomodation.
I wonder if they'll be charging the same amount in a few years time when the flats will look awful from the damage the previous tenants have made.

I expect that prices will only go up, just like at Liberty Park and The Plaza (other phases).

Also regarding the 105m figure... who cares? It's only 2 metres which is nothing on project over 100m. I suppose the council have to do their job but it's a complete waste of time and effort to push for them to try and resubmit the application.

[Baranelo]

Originally Posted by Subliving

The council are quick to pick up in the hieght increase. They're wanting it rectified or a resubmission of the planning application.

www.leeds.gov.uk

Subliving.

April fool.

[di Livio]

Zara and Georgina. Say no more.

[Gherkin]

Back looks finished:

[TSRJames]

I think it's looking really good, although I still think the windows are too small. But that's just my opinion. The facilities sound great, although slightly over the top.

Originally Posted by di Livio

Zara and Georgina. Say no more.

I bet Zara and Georgina would be those really annoying one in lectures who talk really loudly about themselves and have a really irritating laugh! -Everyone's met someone like that.

Even when I finished uni in 2006 people still had proper names. What happened to names like Sarah, Laura, Jessica and Claire? God help us when it's Bobby-Mai, Sparkle, Apple-Sauce or whatever people like to call (scar for life!) their kids now.

That's what’s wrong with this country, we've gone from a nation of engineers and scientists to one of poncy artists with silly names and musicians with jeans that are too tight.

[Suburban Knight]

Originally Posted by Stefan88

The flats do look nice, but £179 a week is far to expensive considering it's student accomodation.
I wonder if they'll be charging the same amount in a few years time when the flats will look awful from the damage the previous tenants have made.

I think the cheaper rooms in the block are just over £100 a week, which is still ridiculous!

[Leeds No.1]

I believe that Sky Plaza starts at £118 per week, going up to £199.

[Gherkin]

Note how the windows at the top are larger. These must be for the £199 a week rooms. Imagine the views...

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by TSRJames

That's what’s wrong with this country, we've gone from a nation of engineers and scientists to one of poncy artists with silly names and musicians with jeans that are too tight.

Heh, heh. My skinny fit jeans earned me a load of homophobic abuse from several drunk Villa fans on the tube last Saturday. Charming people.

[TSRJames]

I bet they were. Classy individuals!

Villa fans handing out insults? That's got to be a first - I lived in Brum for 11 years and most people at the Villa seem to be 11 year old girls - infact my mum was one of them during the 70s (her brother was had sense and followed the mighty Whites). Mind you being Villa is better than being a Brum fan like my grandfather was.

Anyway, what do they know. Do they realise they support a football team who wear pink?

[Suburban Knight]

Skinny jeans? pfffft!

[Leeds No.1]

Yeah, it's generally the higher you go up, the more expensive it is. Those studios on the front with the 8 large windows are the most expensive I think.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by Suburban Knight

Skinny jeans? pfffft!

Yeah, yeah. Not everyone's taste, but I've been on a twelve year mission to find some well-fitting jeans and to no avail, so they are a decent solution under the circumstances. Erm, they're more slim than skinny anyway.

One of the Villa fans was actually right in the face of a sophisticated Parisian girl saying "Have you ever been to Birmingham?".
I love Birmingham, but that horrible experience has slightly tainted my impressions of the city... oh yeah, and the knobs who come on here (Sandblast, anyone?)

[Suburban Knight]

what's worse about Sandblast is that he's from a godforsaken yokel town in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Worcestershire, but wants to be a Brummie so badly (laughable in itself).

Bootcut jeans all the way.

[Gherkin]

Looming over what's left of Brunswick Place:



That's 105m of loom