Construction is underway on a new £80 million Creative Arts building for Leeds Beckett University.

George Downing Construction (GDC) is delivering the new facility in the heart of Leeds’ Civic Quarter and completion is scheduled for September 2020.

Designed by architects Hawkins/Brown, the new hub for creative education will be home to the University’s School of Film, Music and Performing Arts, plus the fashion department. It will feature specialist facilities including a performance theatre and 220-seat Dolby Atmos movie cinema, as well as specialist studios for fashion, music, film and television.

The project forms the first new development in a £200m programme of investment at Leeds Beckett over the next five years. It is also the final phase of GDC’s £100m transformation of the vacant wider site into the distinctive City Village campus living environment.

Ian Orton director of GDC, said: “This is an exciting scheme, which will form a new home for creative education at Leeds Beckett and we’re delighted to be starting on site. This landmark building will include a number of outstanding technical features and facilities, creating a world-class learning environment at the heart of the campus.”