Member Article

Steel City House steps out of the shadows

Sheffield-based Scott’s Developments are poised to bring one of Sheffield’s landmark buildings back to life and create new jobs in the process after gaining planning permission from Sheffield City Council.

Work to modernise Steel City House, a Grade II listed property in the city centre, will commence in the next few weeks. Reminiscent of New York’s iconic Flatiron building, the property was constructed in 1927 and originally housed a highly advanced telephone exchange.

Scott’s Developments acquired Steel City House in mid-2014. The team has since spent the last 12 months researching, planning and consulting with architects, local officials and environmental experts to create a comprehensive redevelopment proposal for the property.

Explains John Scotting, managing director of Scott’s Developments: “I’ve grown up with Steel City House - it’s always been one of my favourite buildings in the city. When the opportunity arose to purchase it, we explored numerous ways to fund its redevelopment. Earlier this year, we received those funds from the EU-backed JESSICA Fund for the Sheffield City Region.

Continues Scotting: “When we purchased Steel City House we considered a dozen different options for use. It’s our aim to leave a legacy with a positive impact on Sheffield, so we have chosen to create the most impressive office space in the city.

“To attract inward investment to Sheffield, the city must offer premises with the specification levels required to accommodate modern business needs. There is currently very little Grade A space available, particularly with close access to restaurants and bars in Leopold Square, public transport links, car parks and the proposed New Retail Quarter.”

Outlines Scotting: “To qualify for the funding, we will be dramatically improving the property’s environmental credentials. We will replace and relocate the outdated air-conditioning, lifts and plant rooms, which look particularly unsightly on the roof of the building. This will also enable us to create an extra floor on the roof affording panoramic views across the city.”

Commenting on the project, Leigh Bramall, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for Business, Skills and Development said: “The planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the application. We’re looking forward to one of the most prominent buildings in Sheffield being brought back in to use, and especially pleased to support a project that will create and sustain jobs in the city centre.”

Adds Stephen Last from SDA Architects: “Steel City House is a unique property with strong architectural features. Our brief was to focus on enhancing the building with a contemporary roof extension and to introduce modern interior space befitting the iconic exterior façade. To achieve that, a spacious reception and business café will lead to a new central atrium with bridges linking open floor plates to the glass lifts. The new floors complete a comprehensive development with high quality workspace provided throughout.”

Concludes Scotting: “Work will commence on site next month with completed offices available for occupation in Spring 2016. With that in mind, we’ll start marketing to potential tenants over the summer. We can offer space from 400 to 65,000 sq ft., with floor plates of just over 10,000 sq ft. available, so it will be interesting to see the initial response. It is our intention to deliver a first class development that Sheffielders can be proud of. It’s a hugely exciting project for us and I can’t wait to see it take shape.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kirsten Howells .