Conversion Project: East Parade, Leeds
A former office building on East Parade in Leeds has been granted planning approval for conversion into purpose-built student accommodation. The scheme will deliver over 100 self-contained studio apartments within a city-centre location, supporting growing demand for high-quality student housing.
Project Overview
A former office building on East Parade in Leeds has been granted planning approval for conversion into purpose-built student accommodation. The scheme will deliver over 100 self-contained studio apartments within a city-centre location, supporting growing demand for high-quality student housing.
The development includes ensuite studio units with integrated kitchens, alongside shared amenities such as study areas, recreational space, laundry facilities and landscaped courtyards.
The Challenge
Repurposing an existing office building into residential accommodation presented several technical challenges:
Achieving consistent, level floor finishes across an existing structure
Integrating underfloor heating (UFH) within constrained floor build-ups
Delivering a solution compatible with tight programme timelines typical of student schemes
Ensuring thermal efficiency and performance for modern living standards
The Solution
To meet these requirements, Tarmac supplied Gyvlon Thermio MAX FD E2C, a high-performance flowing screed specifically designed for use with underfloor heating systems.
The screed was installed by UFH specialist contractor Dragon Underfloor Heating, ensuring full system compatibility and efficient installation.
Key benefits of the specified system included:
Exceptional self-levelling properties, enabling uniform floor finishes across varying substrates
Enhanced thermal conductivity, improving UFH efficiency and heat distribution
Reduced drying times, supporting fast-track construction programmes
Minimal thickness requirements, ideal for refurbishment and conversion projects
Implementation
The collaboration between Tarmac and Dragon ensured a coordinated approach:
UFH systems were installed and pressure-tested prior to screed application
Gyvlon Thermio MAX FD E2C was pumped across all floor areas for rapid, large-scale coverage
The flowing nature of the screed allowed it to fully encapsulate heating pipes, maximising thermal performance
Outcome
The project successfully delivered:
Level, high-quality floor finishes across all residential units
Efficient underfloor heating performance, enhancing occupant comfort
Accelerated construction timelines, supporting project viability
A sustainable reuse of an existing building in a highly accessible, brownfield city-centre location
Conclusion
The East Parade scheme demonstrates how advanced screed technology, combined with specialist UFH expertise, can overcome the challenges of office-to-residential conversions.
