New lease of life for disused tribunal court building

A historic, derelict building in Sheffield will be turned into an aparthotel.

Planning permission has been granted for the scheme for the former tribunal court, opposite Sheffield Cathedral in East Parade.

Architects firm Purcell is working with developers Pinebridge Estates to transform the building into 18 “work-friendly” apartments.

The works, including the reinstatement of a high-level stone balustrade, are designed to reinvent the Grade II listed building whilst preserving key aspects of its heritage.

Dating back to around 1825, 14 East Parade was originally built and first used as a charitable bluecoat school for boys.

Credit: Pinebridge Estates and Lenslifters

The school was relocated in the early 1900s and from the 1950s the building was used as offices, later becoming a tribunal court. It has been vacant for the last four and a half years.

A spokesman for Purcell said: “Close discussions with Historic England and The Georgian Group ensured any plans would protect 14 East Parade’s most noteworthy historic features, in turn helping to preserve Sheffield’s history and links to its past.

“The finished aparthotel will bring sustained public benefit through the restoration of various features of the property, by returning a long-vacant building in the heart of Sheffield back into use, creating improved accessibility within it, and encouraging enhanced economic activity in the city.”

Pinebridge Estates director, Ben Smith, added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into a building that has been empty for the last four and a half years.

“The reinvention of this key site, steeped in history, will provide a beautiful, biophilic space that will leave a lasting legacy in Sheffield.”