The Enquirer revealed last year that developer Town Centre Securities PLC was leaning towards Shepherd.

Neil Clarke, Construction Director for Shepherd, said: “The Merrion House project is one of several key developments our multidisciplinary teams are successfully delivering across the city, including MEPC’s Wellington Place and Leeds University library and multi-storey car park.

“We are delighted to be a major contributor to the evolving skyline of Leeds.”

Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities, says: “Even in the pre-construction phase of this development, the live nature of Merrion House required a technical understanding of the challenges it posed.

“Shepherd was able to provide an insightful and deliverable pre-construction bid and we are looking forward to working collaboratively in order to move the project into the next phase of development.”

The newly refurbished and extended Merrion House will be one of the city’s largest office pre-let deals in two decades.

Leeds City Council will be the new tenant offering all main services from a single home in the city centre.