But Bradford Council has said it is in “advanced conversations” with other potential tenants for the city centre office building – which still has empty floors.
Details of scrapped plans for the £35m, Grade A office space were included in a recent finance report by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The document gave an update on the West Yorkshire “Investment Zone” programme, which in Bradford involves the University of Bradford working to boost local businesses.
Several Investment Zone projects across West Yorkshire are currently behind schedule, and the report reveals that plans initially included a space in Bradford Council funded office building One City Park.
The report said: “The Bradford Tech and Entrepreneur Ecosystem Space was to be based in the One City Park development and a procurement for an occupier/operator was delayed until the IZ funding was confirmed.
“The procurement did not attract any operators eligible for the funding and so the project is now delayed further until 2026/27 to give the Council time to identify suitable alternative premises.”
Although PriceWaterhouseCooper became the first tenant early last year – bringing 200 staff initially with a plan to expand to 500 staff in the coming years, floors of the building still remain empty or half empty.
The Telegraph & Argus asked WYCA and Bradford Council for more information on the previously unannounced plans for the building falling through.
A WYCA spokesperson said: “While One City Park was considered as a potential site for a new Tech & Entrepreneur Ecosystem Space, it was later determined that the project did not align with the region’s Investment Zone funding criteria, nor the Council’s strategy for the building’s tenancy and use.
“The Combined Authority is working closely with Bradford Council and the University of Bradford to identify other projects and sites to benefit from the region’s £160 million Investment Zone.”
A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The use of One City Park was initially suggested by the Council as a potential location for the WYCA Investment Zone promoted ‘Tech & Entrepreneur Ecosystem Space’ activity, on the basis that accommodation was available in the newly opened building, but it was subsequently agreed that the project did not meet the criteria for Investment Zone Funding or the Council’s strategy for promoting the letting, type of tenant and use of the building.
“However, working with Bradford University as its partner in the Investment Zone initiative, the Council is seeking to maximise funding from the WYCA Programme to deliver appropriate initiatives including the Tech & Entrepreneur Ecosystem scheme that will support the growth of Health Tech and Digital sector education, skills and businesses in the Bradford District.
“However, we are still in advanced conversations with other tenants.”
