First part of £250m town centre masterplan gets underway

Redevelopment of Huddersfield’s long-disused Co-operative building, now known as “Renaissance Works”, is officially underway.

SKA Developments has officially started work on the massive town-centre site, which represents the first stage of Kirklees Council’s ambitious Huddersfield blueprint, which was launched in June 2019.

The building, which has stood empty for more than two decades and suffered from years of neglect, was last used as the town’s Heaven and Hell nightclub before the turn of the Millennium.

It will now be transformed into student accommodation through 135 bedrooms across 75 student apartments.

SKA Developments, based in central Huddersfield, has received a loan from Kirklees Council Property Investment Fund (PFI), to support the refurbishment.

The investment will allow works to transform the derelict building into a vibrant and thriving community for the town centre.

Its redevelopment is described as an important step forward in delivering the first stage of the council’s blueprint – supporting the vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre.

Zeb Pervaiz, SKA Developments’ director, said: “It is fantastic to be able to start work on this project. SKA Developments have vast experience of working with historic, listed buildings and transforming them into vibrant, spectacular developments.

“The redevelopment of this iconic building is an important step forward into supporting Kirklees council’s vision and enables us to give back to the city region’s economy. This project will be one that the whole town can be proud of.”

Councillor Peter McBride, cabinet member for economy, added: “The project creates an exciting opportunity to bring this once neglected building back to life, and supports the council’s vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre.

“This is further proof of our commitment to bring the Blueprint vision to life.

“The site is situated at a key gateway to the city, benefiting from its location close to main arterial routes, just minutes from the railway station and close to the town’s world-class education facilities.

“SKA Developments have already proven themselves as a business that’s committed to Kirklees and we’re excited to see the project progress.”

SKA Developments has delivered a portfolio of sites within the town, including Standard House, Dundas Work and Threadworks.

The council granted SKA Developments planning permission last year to renovate the building and to add a contemporary extension to the existing roof, creating an additional three floors.

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