Work on £27 MILLION Sheffield office block finally starts – and this is when it will open

Kate Josephs, chief executive at Sheffield City Council, and Coun Paul Turpin posed for photos with builders and developers at the site on Sheaf Street.

The plot will become an eight-storey block, ‘Endeavour’, set to be finished in November next year.

The launch comes five years after developer Scarborough Group International obtained planning permission. Two years ago bosses said they were talking to a potential occupier for the entire building. The project went quiet until January this year when they said it was set to start by March.

Now, builders GMI Construction Group say they have begun.

GMI divisional managing director Lee Powell said it would be tight for space but they would finish within the 71-week schedule – November 2022.

The narrow plot is sandwiched between Sheaf Street and Pond Hill and has the medieval Old Queen’s Head pub to the rear.

Kate Josephs said high quality offices were ‘absolutely central to attracting investment’.

She added: “As a council we are committed to delivering infrastructure, space and buildings that reaffirm our position as England’s fourth largest city and create an environment where we can thrive for years to come.”

Her comments come amid a row over the future of Sheaf Square outside Midland Station which has been empty for 14 years. Council documents hint at it being reserved for HS2 - not set to arrive in Sheffield for 20 years.

Coun Paul Turpin, executive member for inclusive economy, jobs and skills, said: “It’s essential that we have a variety of flexible spaces in the city centre that best meet the needs of those using them - for some people that will be open plan hospitality venues such as Kommune, Cutlery Works or a coffee at Marmadukes, and for others it will be purpose-built, dedicated office space such as Endeavour.”

It is the fourth and final building in Scarborough’s Digital Campus which includes Electric Works, Ventana House and Acero.

A spokeswoman said they had all been sold to investors.

Endeavour will have room for up to 800 workers. It is estimated it will create 140 construction jobs and when complete could fetch £27m on the open market.

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Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor.