The £50 million residential building, known as Kangaroo Works, will be located at the corner of Rockingham Street and Wellington Street. The development will deliver 364 new apartments for private rent, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. At ground floor level, there will be up to five commercial spaces ideally suited to cafés, restaurants or start-up businesses.
The scheme’s unique name pays homage to a former tool factory that was part of the site in the early nineteenth century.
The site – labelled Block F in the Heart of the City II masterplan and currently home to a surface car park – was sold by Sheffield City Council earlier this year to a joint venture group made up of Angelo Gordon – a major US based global investment advisor – and Ridgeback Group. The group has employed Sheffield-based Brantingham Homes to manage the scheme, working alongside locally based Whittam Cox Architects and construction partner Henry Boot Construction Ltd.
The scale of the development has been sensitively planned in response to other surrounding buildings, stepping down from 15 storeys at its highest point to eight and four storeys. The use of attractive brick as the primary material takes inspiration from Sheffield’s urban heritage.
The new apartments will be built and operated under the Private Rented Sector (PRS) model, which will provide high quality accommodation for the non-student market. The scheme will provide the calibre of facilities and long-term management to encourage residents to stay and put down roots.
Michael Crooks of Brantingham Homes, said: “Great progress has been made with Heart of the City II in recent years and we’re delighted to be submitting plans for this next block. Kangaroo Works is a key residential site within the scheme and will help support the forthcoming retail and leisure occupiers.
“Demand for this type of housing is very high. It offers great flexibility and appeals to a wide range of people who want to live in the city centre – close to shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. We are seeking to create a permanent community of residents that will contribute to the future growth and vitality of the city centre.”
Ian Lowson, Director at Whittam Cox Architects, said: “We are pleased to see our plans progress and look forward to working closely with the team on this important asset for Sheffield city centre.
“Our design team comprises professionals who live and work in the Sheffield City Region, so have both a firm understanding of the urban context and a vested interest in delivering a scheme of exceptional quality. It will enhance the character of the area and create a bespoke, transformational scheme for Sheffield.”
George Bossom of Ridgeback Group added: “Sheffield is becoming one of the UK’s most dynamic cities. We believe this scheme will set a new benchmark for quality in the city centre, contributing to the creation of a new, vibrant commercial district.”
The wider Heart of the City II masterplan builds on the success of the original Heart of the City scheme. Over the coming years, it aims to deliver a dynamic mixed-use district that will become the commercial hub of the city centre. Proposals include premium retail brands, independent restaurants, Grade A offices, quality apartments, four and five-star hotels, and attractive public spaces.
Construction on Phase One of the scheme, which includes the flagship new 140,000 square foot HSBC office and striking Charter Square public realm, has completed and is currently undergoing internal fit outs.
Subject to planning approval, construction of Kangaroo Works could begin by the end of 2019.
