George Downing Construction has started work on Leeds Beckett University’s £80m Creative Arts building, a new hub for creative education in Leeds, UK.

When completed, the new building will be home to the university’s School of Film, Music and Performing Arts, along with the fashion department.

Designed by Hawkins\Brown, the Creative Arts building will feature specialist facilities including a performance theatre and 220-seat Dolby Atmos movie cinema, apart from specialist studios for fashion, music, film and television.

The arts building, located in Leeds’ Civic Quarter, is the flagship development in the new Innovation District.

The Innovation District is a partnership between Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds City Council.

The partnership aims to provide work spaces, create new development opportunities and provide upmarket housing to skilled workers in the city.

The Creative Arts building, which is being delivered by developer Downing, is scheduled for completion in September 2020.

Leeds Beckett University vice chancellor Peter Slee said: “Through the outstanding creative education and training we supply to 1,800 students per year, the innovative research and knowledge exchange we pursue within the industry and through the opportunities we provide for networking, Leeds Beckett University is a major contributor to the success of the cultural and creative industries of Leeds and the “creative conurbation” which is developing in the greater North.

“Our £80m investment in world leading facilities in film, television, music, fashion, dance, drama and performance, will further enhance our positive social, cultural and economic impact.”

The building represents the first new development in a £200m programme of investment at Leeds Beckett over the next five years.