First West Bar phase closes on completion
All three buildings within the initial phase of the £300m Legal & General-backed mixed-use Sheffield project have been topped out by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.
This phase of development includes the No.1 West Bar Square grade A office, bringing 100,000 sq ft of floorspace to the local market. There are also 368 build-to-rent apartments across two buildings, with all now just months from practical completion.
Two public realm spaces, West Bar Square in the heart of the commercial area and Soho Yard serving the eponymous residential BTR apartments, are also due to complete soon.
Senior officials from Sheffield City Council, Urbo (West Bar) Ltd – a joint venture between Urbo and B+K subsidiary Peveril Securities – and Legal and General attended a ceremony last week to mark the highest point of construction being reached
The West Bar project represents a long-awaited redevelopment of a prominent seven-acre brownfield site on the city’s inner ring road between Kelham Island and the Cathedral and Castlegate Quarters.
When complete, it will bring 1m sq ft of mixed-use space including more than 500,000 sq ft of office accommodation.
Phase one was triggered with a deal to secure £150m from Legal & General in what is believed to be the largest single city centre investment deal in Sheffield history.
As part of the agreed deal between L&G and Urbo, a second 100,000 sq ft office building will be delivered to follow No.1 West Bar Square. A 450-space multi-storey car park is also lined up.
Peter Swallow, managing director at Urbo, said: “We are delighted to reach this significant milestone at West Bar Sheffield which is a strategically important regeneration project for the city. Indeed, it is integral to the transformational plan for Sheffield city centre, extending its prime core, and bringing forward much need new space for commercial and residential accommodation.”
Ben Rodgers, head of regeneration, LGIM Real Assets added: “We’re thrilled to reach this project milestone as we get closer to realising the vision for West Bar. This mixed-use scheme will create a vibrant new quarter that re-connects with the city centre, delivering much needed office accommodation, housing, and green landscaped public spaces.
“This further helps demonstrate the power of responsibly investing pension savings in urban regeneration, transforming and reshaping cities, creating productive, sustainable assets for future generations.”
Architect 5plus designed No. 1 West Bar Square, with planning advice from Asteer Planning. Featuring a curved curtain glass façade, it provides eight storeys with floorplates of up to 14,000 sq ft, and a roof terrace.
BNP Paribas Real Estate and Cushman & Wakefield have been appointed to market the space. Planit has designed the outdoor spaces at the project.
Soho Yard offers 368 residential apartments within two buildings situated around a landscaped space and gardens with access from Plum Lane. The properties will be delivered and operated by L&G as part of its Homes for Life portfolio.
Kate Josephs, chief executive at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield needs high quality, energy efficient office and commercial space so it’s great to see this development close to completion. West Bar is a prime example of what can be achieved through strong partnership between the public and private sector.”
Ralph Jones – a main board director at B+K, and also managing director of its development arm Peveril Securities – added: “Our vision to deliver a flagship destination to support demand for high specification, large floorplate offices, new housing, and jobs, is now very real.
“Standing atop of No.1 West Bar is in many ways surreal but also immensely rewarding for the team that has worked tirelessly over many years and through many challenges.”
