A top architect has welcomed the “green shoots” of development in Sheffield city centre - worth millions - after several years in the doldrums.

Matt Bowker, of CODA Studios in Kelham Island, welcomed activity on four sites in the north of the city, including a 267-apartment block on Nursery Street, where a concrete core is rising.

The £50m Laurel Works is by Liverpool firm Brickland is on the site of the former Sheffield Testing Laboratories.

A concrete core is rising on Nursery Street for the £50m Laurel Works by Liverpool firm Brickland on the site of the former Sheffield Testing Laboratories. | Matt Bowker

placeholder image — A concrete core is rising on Nursery Street for the £50m Laurel Works by Liverpool firm Brickland on the site of the former Sheffield Testing Laboratories. | Matt Bowker

Sheffield City Council’s states the area called Wicker Island, between the River Don and Derek Dooley Way, will be a new ‘core neighbourhood’.

Sign up today to get all of the latest news headlines from Sheffield and South Yorkshire, with The Star’s free daily newsletter

Mr Bowker also noted progress on Grantside’s Hive Central, 100 flats on Bowling Green Lane in Kelham Island, the Cannon Brewery development in Neepsend by Capital & Centric and the second phase of Cotton Mill Row by RS Sabkha Construction and Developments facing the Corporation Street ring road.

How Laurel Works on Nursery St is set to look. | other

He said: “After several years in the relative development doldrums, with very few schemes breaking ground, it’s encouraging to see real momentum returning to this part of the city.

Grantside has started on £24m Hive on Bowling Green Street, Kelham Island. | Matt Bowker

“I’m looking forward to seeing this next generation of residential-led developments take shape, continuing the regeneration story and bringing more people back to live in Sheffield city centre.”

Digital rendering of the atrium of the The Hive, in Kelham Island.

Capital&Centric’s Cannon Brewery scheme is for 550-homes, 20,000 sq ft of commercial space, a new public square and green space, and padel courts.

In February, council chiefs launched a £300m housing development in nearby Neepsend and Furnace Hill set to provide over 1,100 homes by 2034.

Last week funding was announced for a £22m project to remove the “nightmare” Shalesmoor roundabout to ease congestion, prioritise public transport and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists travelling to Kelham Island.