Reimagining Retail at Trinity Leeds

The transformation of Trinity Kitchen at Trinity Leeds highlights how retail destinations can evolve through thoughtful, considered interventions in response to changing patterns of retail and leisure use.

The scheme focuses on reconfiguring the existing building fabric, rather than expanding its footprint. The major redevelopment adds 15,000 sq ft of new space, creating an expanded 63,000 sq ft food and leisure destination. By carefully carving out a roof terrace overlooking the city, a new external space is created, establishing a destination in its own right and extending the experience beyond an internal food hall.

This approach reflects a broader shift in retail thinking, moving away from purely transactional environments towards experience-led, social destinations. The roof terrace introduces a new layer of activity, supporting greater flexibility of use, encouraging engagement beyond traditional retail hours, and contributing to a stronger sense of place within the building and its surroundings.

Rather than complete redevelopment, the project demonstrates how adaptive reuse and architectural intervention can unlock underutilised space, strengthen connections to the surrounding city, and extend the long-term relevance of existing assets, creating environments that people want to spend time in.

This scheme is a strong example of how thoughtful design can shape retail environments, placing experience, place, and people at the centre of architectural thinking.