Delight as £65m Sheffield development signs first office occupier
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Student lettings firm Unihomes has taken a full floor in the six-storey block in the New Era complex on Bramall Lane.
Boss Jerry Cheung said he was ‘over the moon’ and hoped it would be an ‘ice-breaker’ for more deals as the pandemic subsided.
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Hide AdNew Era includes 640 flats, including in the 21-storey Jade Tower on St Mary’s roundabout, an oriental supermarket, 12 retail units and 11 kiosks arranged around a square.
It also boasts a giant panda sculpture on the roof.
Mr Cheung: “I feel fantastic. It hasn’t been easy. This time last year I was on my own in the whole development. People were scared about a deadly disease.”
The flats are popular with Chinese students and occupancy has remained above 80 per cent, he added.
And New Era was close to signing a restaurant, sports bar and GP surgery and pharmacy. If they go through there would only be three units left.
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Hide AdBut the company’s electricity bill is up 50 per cent due to tenants staying at home. And Chinese New Year celebrations planned for 700 in the plaza in February had to be cancelled due to lockdown.
The company spent £10,000 on lights and ordered paper lanterns from China for a special outdoor celebration. Now it will be held in 2022.
He added: “You take the rough with the smooth. It has been difficult for everyone. If you come through this in one piece you can count yourself lucky.”
