McLaren appointed to deliver Joseph’s Well student tower in Leeds
14-storey scheme will provide 256 student bedrooms at landmark city centre site.
20 January 2026
McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East has been appointed as main contractor for a new 14-storey student accommodation tower at Joseph’s Well in Leeds, following full planning approval for the project.
Known as The Tower, the £multi-million scheme will provide 256 high-quality student bedrooms, including a mix of studios and cluster apartments, along with premium communal areas designed to support wellbeing, collaboration and sustainability.
The development marks the most significant transformation of the Joseph’s Well estate in more than 45 years and is the largest single investment in the 140-year history of developer J Pullan & Sons.
Located within walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, the tower is designed to meet rising demand for professionally managed student housing in one of the UK’s leading higher education destinations.
Christophe Demoulin, Contracts Manager at Pullans, said: “This consent marks a major milestone for Pullans. The Tower is the single largest investment in our 140-year history and reflects our long-term commitment to Joseph’s Well and the city of Leeds.”
McLaren is joined on the project by Cunniff Design as architect, FutureServ as MEP consultant, Orion Fire, Roscoe and RBA as quantity surveyor and employer’s agent.
Andrew Beaumont, Managing Director at McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East, added: “This appointment represents a pivotal milestone for our region and reinforces our strategic commitment to building a sustainable and relationship-driven business. We are well placed to deliver this landmark project for Pullans in the heart of Leeds city centre.”
The scheme will incorporate energy-efficient systems and a carefully considered mix of study, social and relaxation spaces to enhance the student experience and contribute positively to the surrounding area.
Joseph’s Well has been a prominent fixture in Leeds’ business landscape since its acquisition by Pullans in 1979. Originally a factory and mill, it was later converted into office space and expanded in 1990 with a new headquarters for law firm Hammond Suddards. The new tower marks the first major change to the estate in over four decades.
