Celebrating 20 Years of Success! (2004 – 2024). Thank you for being a part of our journey!
5 December 2025
Leeds has always been an important base for us. The city gives us a strong regional market and excellent links to projects across the UK. As our workload increased and our projects became larger and more complex, we strengthened our local presence to match that demand.
A major step came in 2022 when we acquired MAW Consulting. MAW was a long-established and respected practice of Chartered Quantity Surveyors. The team was known for its client-first approach and strong capability in Cost Consultancy, Project Management, Development monitoring and Employer’s Agent services.
The acquisition brought together two aligned teams with shared values and a focus on quality and transparency. It also expanded JCA’s ability to deliver a full in-house service for major developments across the UK. JCA Cost Consulting – Leeds now specialises in high-value new build and conversion projects. Their work gives clients the clarity they need to manage large-scale schemes with confidence. This expertise is now a core part of JCA’s service, and our clients continue to benefit from it.
Our JCA Cost Consulting – Leeds team works from Kenneth Hodgson House at 18 Park Row, one of the city’s most distinctive historic buildings. Built around 1900, the property originally served as the West Riding Union Bank headquarters. It later became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank during a series of early 20th-century mergers.
The building stands out for its Grade II listed sandstone façade and detailed sculptural work. Designed by Oliver and Dodgshun, it blends classical and baroque features, including Corinthian pilasters, a strong cornice and well-proportioned windows. A key highlight is the relief frieze by local sculptor Joseph Thewlis. It shows Minerva, the goddess of commerce, surrounded by scenes of trade, industry, railways and dock work, reflecting Leeds’ commercial power at the time. Carved coats of arms for Leeds and Huddersfield sit above the entrances.
Inside, the building has been sensitively modernised. A fifth floor was added within the attic space, and the original stonework and carvings have been carefully preserved. The basement still contains the old bank vaults. A major restoration in the 2010s included façade repairs and subtle architectural lighting, earning recognition at the 2014 Leeds Architecture Awards. The building was renamed Kenneth Hodgson House in 2013 in honour of Tim Hodgson’s late father.
Today, it offers a workplace that blends historic character with modern practicality, a fitting home for a team delivering high-value projects across the UK.
Leeds is known for its rich architectural mix. Historic buildings stand alongside contemporary developments, creating a city centre that reflects both its industrial past and its modern growth.
Many of the city’s best-known buildings date from the Victorian and Edwardian periods:
Leeds Town Hall, designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and opened in 1858, is one of the city’s most recognisable civic buildings.
The Corn Exchange, completed in 1864, features a striking circular form and a dramatic iron-and-glass roof.
Leeds General Infirmary, designed by George Gilbert Scott, adds gothic character to the west of the city centre.
Park Row, home to our office, sits at the heart of the city’s historic financial district. Its buildings feature carved stone façades and classical detail:
Leeds continues to grow, and its modern architecture reflects this ambition:
No.1 City Square and Bridgewater Place introduce new landmarks to the skyline with their glass-fronted designs.
Leeds Dock and Granary Wharf showcase the city’s ongoing regeneration, turning historic waterfront areas into vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods.
The city balances business with culture:
Leeds Civic Hall features classical detailing and prominent twin towers.
Victoria Quarter and The Light offer restored historic arcades alongside modern retail.
Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute combine heritage with contemporary cultural space.
Together, these buildings show how Leeds honours its past while embracing new ideas.
JCA’s growth in Leeds reflects both the heritage of the city and the ambition of our business. Our base in Kenneth Hodgson House places our team in one of the most significant buildings in Leeds. Today, our Cost Consultancy and Quantity Surveying specialists continue to support clients across the UK, combining local presence with national capability.
