S1 Artspace takes over at Yorkshire Bank Chambers
Part of Sheffield’s Levelling Up Fund programme for Castlegate’s regeneration, the grade two-listed Fitzalan Square building will become an arts and cultural venue.
Eddisons worked on the deal, the site having been marketed at a guide price of £600,000.
S1 and Sheffield Hallam University have signed a memorandum of understanding for a renewed partnership within this new venture, taking on a 30-year relationship in the arts.
The renovated 10,681 sq ft building, said S1, will feature spacious public galleries across two floors, showcasing new work by local, national, and international artists. It will also include artist studios, a community and events space, a research centre, a shop profiling local artists and makers, and an independent bar.
A previous plan had been for S1 to be part of the new direction for the redeveloped Park Hill estate, plans that have been altered.
Louise Hutchinson, project director, S1 Artspace explained: “This is a monumental step for S1, particularly after the plans at Park Hill were derailed following the financial impact of the pandemic, resulting in the temporary closure of S1’s premises last autumn.
“Like many cultural venues in Sheffield, S1 has faced significant challenges operating within the commercial rental market. Securing our own premises is a remarkable achievement that allows us to move forward and establish a space that places artistic practice firmly at its core.”
Sheffield submitted its ‘Gateway to Sheffield’ package to the Levelling Up Fund in 2021.
Sheffield Hallam vice-chancellor Professor Liz Mossop said: “Since S1’s foundation by Hallam students and artists in 1995, we’ve seen the positive impact our relationship has had on attracting, nurturing and retaining creative talent in Sheffield. Our new Memorandum of Understanding builds on this and provides some outstanding opportunities to continue our work together.
“Plans for the new S1 Artspace home, close to our flagship Creative Industries Institute building, the former Head Post Office in Fitzalan Square, is further evidence of the city centre developing as a creative hub for the benefit of arts and culture across the city and region.”
The development plays into the wider regeneration of Castlegate, including the public realm-led redevelopment of the Castle site, where phase two is now being started.
The building itself, at the corner of Commercial Street and Haymarket, was built in 1871 and served as the Sheffield Stock Exchange from 1911 for 50 years before becoming a branch of the Yorkshire Bank in 1967, closing in 2014. It has been vacant since 2017 and was boguht from LPA receivers.
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “South Yorkshire’s cultural and creative industries are amongst our most valuable assets. They help us understand our past, present and future.
“The cultural arts and heritage sector alone generates £100m each year for South Yorkshire – a huge contribution to our economy. The sector also brings in visitors from far and wide, helps us attract talent and gives our brightest the chance to stay near and go far.”
The facility will be a neighbour to Harmony Works at Canada House, which is to be a £14m music education hub, while other nearby cultural venues include Yorkshire Artspace’s Exchange Place Studios, Sheffield Hallam’s Creative Industries Institute, National Videogame Museum, Exchange Street Collective, and the Kollider coworking space in Castle House.
Public consultations will take place in the coming months.
