Yorkshire Water opens new Operational Support Centre in Leeds
Bowman Riley has completed the transformation of existing Leeds offices into a new Operational Support Centre for Yorkshire Water, accommodating the relocation of support staff from its long-standing head office campus.
Aligned with Yorkshire Water’s vision, the new headquarters provides a modern, energy-efficient workplace that promotes collaboration, flexible and hybrid working, and staff wellbeing. By refurbishing existing buildings rather than building anew, the project has reduced embodied carbon and improved the sustainability profile, while creating an adaptable, resilient environment designed to meet long-term needs.
The project involved reconfiguring an early-2000s office building to provide 1,000 workstations, meeting and conference facilities, and collaboration spaces. The second floor of an adjacent building was also redesigned to provide additional space. Works included a complete MEP redesign, a new fire strategy, and a workplace transformation aligned with WELL design principles.
Bowman Riley provided lead consultant services, architecture, interior design, workplace strategy, Principal Designer services under CDM and Building Regulations, signage, wayfinding and graphic design. The design creates an intuitive, inclusive environment, reinforcing the Yorkshire Water brand through colour, materiality, nature-inspired finishes and accessible design.
Delivered in just nine months
A key challenge was delivering the scheme to an accelerated programme, with Yorkshire Water keen to occupy the building as soon as possible. Early tendering enabled the design to evolve during construction, incorporating input from the client team.
The construction phase was completed in just nine months, against a typical 12–18-month programme. This was achieved through proactive collaboration between the design team, Peak PM Project Managers and fit-out contractor Overbury, alongside increased resources.
The completed Operational Support Centre marks an important milestone for Yorkshire Water, bringing its support staff together in a refurbished, future-ready facility.
This project demonstrates Bowman Riley’s expertise in complex workplace transformations, delivering resilient, sustainable commercial environments.
Read all about the project here.