Next blocks of Sheffield's Heart Of The City II get green light

Laycock House image

As phase one of Sheffield's Heart of the City II moves towards completion, the next two blocks (B and C) in the city centre regeneration scheme were today granted approval at a planning committee meeting.

The proposals for Block B and Block C were originally presented at public consultation events back in September 2018 and submitted to the local planning authority in November 2018.

Block B and Block C front on to Pinstone Street and the approved designs, drawn up by Leonard Design Architects, include retaining the attractive Victorian façades of the existing buildings, whilst redeveloping and expanding the structures behind them.

The plans for Block B, which incorporates Laycock House – a late Victorian building which has more or less survived completely intact, include the sensitive renovation of the residences and smaller retail units within Laycock House. The current existing courtyard behind the building will be reimagined as a welcoming city garden, with a café proposed for the ground floor unit. There will also be four new retail units at ground floor level and 52 apartments across the seven floors above, delivering a high-quality residential offer in a superb location.

Block C sits between Pinstone Street, Cambridge Street and Charles Street, alongside the soon-to-be completed Block D, which is home to the new HSBC office. Known locally as the Pepper Pot, the plans include five retail units on the ground floor and 37,000 sq ft of premium Grade A office space on the seven floors above.

Artist impression for the new-look Pepper Pot

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said:

"We are extremely pleased to have secured the go ahead on Blocks B and C of this significant scheme. The two blocks will transform the Pinstone Street retail scene and add more much-needed quality office space and new homes.

"The Council and our strategic development partner Queensberry would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to submit constructive comments on the plans and help influence the direction of the final design.

"With HSBC's new flagship Sheffield office and the Charter Square public realm nearing completion, as well as the recently announced US investment in Block F, we are starting to see some real momentum across the Heart of the City II scheme. The city centre will soon have a new district boasting a mix of high-quality retail, residential and office space to be proud of."

Paul Sargent, Chief Executive of Queensberry, said:

"We are pleased to receive planning approval for Blocks B and C within the masterplan.

"This keeps the Heart of the City scheme on track and delivery of the overall masterplan proposals we announced early last year with Sheffield City Council.

"With Grosvenor House nearly complete, you can already see how the scheme has transformed this area of the city and these latest blocks will help knit together the old and the new. We look forward to seeing commencement on site and further progression of the scheme."

A contractor to work across both Block B and Block C is set to be announced in the next few weeks and work on site is likely to start this summer, with completion expected by the end of 2020.

Building on the success of the original Heart of the City II scheme, the 1.5 million sq ft masterplan will significantly regenerate the area of the city centre sitting between Barker's Pool, the Peace Gardens and The Moor, creating a dynamic mixed-use district with premium retail and leisure brands, Grade A offices, contemporary residential space and attractive public realm.

Planning advice on the scheme is being provided by Montagu Evans.

An artist impression of Heart Of The City II

About Heart of the City II

Heart of the City II is one of Sheffield’s key economic projects. Backed by Sheffield City Council, with Queensberry as its key delivery partner, it is not just a retail scheme, but a mixed-use, vibrant quarter right at the heart of the city and synonymous with everything the city is trying to achieve.

The scheme builds on the hugely successful original Heart of the City project that kick started the regeneration of Sheffield city centre at the start of the Millennium. The new mixed-use scheme will comprise of high-quality retail, Grade A offices, hotel and residential developments, restaurants and cafés, leisure destinations, parking and stunning public realm.

Located at the very core of the city centre, it will bind together the old and the new, keeping the existing street patterns and quirky historic buildings but adding in striking new architecture and unique outdoor spaces. Rooted in the city’s unique character, Heart of the City will provide a new home for Sheffield’s cultural, commercial and creative trailblazers.

About Queensberry

Queensberry is a market leader in property development and investment. They deliver award-winning mixed-use developments to their partners and strong returns to co-investors.

Queensberry puts design first and understands the importance of a creative design approach with complex urban environments. Their mission is to rekindle civic pride through the developments they build and refurbish, while being sympathetic to the existing urban fabric.