£10m development sees Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter expand
A £10m project to add apartments and offices for the high tech and creative sectors as well as places to eat and drink is taking shape at Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter.
A mix of new buildings and refurbished old factories will form the first phase of Alsop Fields, harking back to the name of the area around Sidney Street in the 18th century, in the latest development by City Estates.
A footpath next to the River Porter is being created alongside four redeveloped buildings, including one replacing the former Niche nightclub.
Two of the buildings will have internal landscaped courtyards with restaurants and cafes, aiming to replicate City Estates’ success in converting Sellers Wheel, a former grade II listed factory, in nearby Arundel Street.
Marketing specialist Jaywing is set to move into another building.
City Estates director Dale Fixter said: “The whole area used to be known as Alsop Fields so we decided to use the name for this new mixed use development.
“It is designed to be a destination in itself – a regeneration of part of the Cultural Industries Quarter that will be similar to the trendy parts of Manchester and London.
“The location is excellent – close to the centre of the city, a few minutes’ walk from the railway station and near Sheffield Hallam University.
“Instead of just student accommodation, we are creating an attractive mix of apartments and studios, places to eat and drink and offices for the high tech and creative sectors.”
He added: “Jaywing are bringing their staff to the area, which will immediately add life to the area. All the amenities are nearby, and Sellers Wheel, with its hugely popular café, Tamper, has shown there is the demand for this type of development.
“We have got quite a lot of speculative interest in the commercial space, and I’m hoping we’ll have some tenants in by September.”
Each of the four elements of Alsop Fields will have its own character.
Niche Buildings @ Alsop Fields will feature 44 studios and apartments for students and other residents, plus two commercial units; No. 77 @ Alsop Fields will have six commercial units; Speedwell @ Alsop Fields will see the old Speedwell Works replaced by 34 apartments and studios, plus three commercial units. The former Albert Works is the new home for Jaywing.
The whole development is due for completion by the summer with the exception of the Niche block where work is expected to finish by the end of the year.
In the longer term, City Estates, the company that developed the flagship West One residential and commercial development off West Street, is planning to redevelop much of the opposite site of Sidney Street.
Architects for Alsop Fields are Cartwright Pickard, who were also responsible for the design of Gatecrasher Apartments.
