Plans submitted for transformation of historic buildings in new ‘Cutlery Quarter’ neighbourhood

A planning application has been submitted for the restoration of the Eyewitness Works and Ceylon Works buildings in Sheffield.

The restoration of the former cutlery works is the first project in Sheffield for property developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC.

Plans submitted to Sheffield City Council show how the two Grade-II listed buildings will be restored and a new build element added to provide 97 loft apartments and townhouses along with a 900 sq ft café-bar.

Sheffield City Council brought in regeneration specialist CAPITAL&CENTRIC to start the transformation of the area around Milton Street. Eyewitness Works is set to become an anchor development in the new ‘Cutlery Quarter’ neighbourhood.

The centuries-old features of the Works will remain, providing new homes in an industrial building, complete with looming 40ft chimney. The £21m project will also see private courtyards and a cobbled street for residents, draped with festoon lighting and lined with trees and foliage.

If planning permission is granted, the redevelopment of Eyewitness Works could be completed by the end of 2020.

For the past 150 years, Eyewitness Works was home to Taylor’s Eye Witness Ltd, a Sheffield-based company that provided the UK with cutlery. The first registered building at the site was in 1838.

CAPITAL&CENTRIC won the rights to acquire and develop the Eyewitness Works following a design competition held by Sheffield City Council.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC, said: “There’s no denying, Eyewitness Works is a stunning structure with a rich social heritage, but it needs a fair dose of TLC. We’ve a lot to work with. The bones of the building and original features mean it’ll be a beautiful place to live once we’re done with it.

“People are drawn to these dominant, industrial buildings. If something imaginative can be tabled, they make really vibrant neighbourhoods that then sparks further development around them. That’s what we see happening here.

“This is just the beginning of what we want to do. We’ve got a bold vision for the area which will have its own identity. In a couple of years’ time it could be Sheffield’s ‘Cutler’s Village’, known for its stunning historic buildings, amazing places to live and cool places to hang out.”