Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter to expand in £10m development

Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter is set to be expanded as a £10m project takes shape to add apartments and studios, and offices for the high tech and creative sectors.

A mix of new buildings and refurbished old factories will form the first phase of Alsop Fields, a reference 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 also 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’ similar project in converting Sellers Wheel, a former grade-II listed factory, in nearby Arundel Street.

Marketing specialist Jaywing is already set to move into another building.

Dale Fixter, City Estates director, 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.

“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.”

Alsop Fields is another city centre venture for City Estates, and follows on from the developer’s scheme on the site of a former nightclub – Gatecrasher student apartments and studios at the corner of Arundel Street and Matilda Street.

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 entire 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.

Architects for Alsop Fields are Cartwright Pickard, who were also responsible for the design of Gatecrasher Apartments.

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