The scaffolding is down on one of Sheffield city centre’s most iconic buildings, and now the full cost of the eye-catching restoration can be revealed.
The Grade II-listed Sheffield Water Works Company building, located on Division Street, is now a much-loved Wetherspoon pub which has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration over for quite some time.
It has been enveloped in blue tarpaulin while skilled tradespeople work on scaffolding to preserve the decorative architecture.
And now, JD Wetherspoon has revealed the full cost of the works, as the scaffolding comes down and the building can be seen in all its glory once again.
JD Wetherspoon Regional Property Manager Paul Turner said: “The cost of the works were £846,876.
“Due to the nature of the works and as listed building consent(s) were required it took until the August 2026 to complete with the scaffolding finally coming down the last week of the month.”
The building has been hidden from view for around 18 months while work was done to restore the facade of the city centre building.
Paul continued: “In May 2025 we erected scaffolding around the entire building so we could complete repairs to this grade II listed building.
“Working closely with the planning department at Sheffield City Council we have carefully completed detailed repairs to the sandstone walls and the pub’s roof.
“This has been specialist works completed by skilled stone masons – we have used a local stone mason called Yorkshire Stone who have sourced the replacement stone from a local quarry.
“The highlight of the project has been the replacement of the two urns over the main entrance as the existing urns were in a poor state of repair.
“These new urns have been hand carved and are had been lifted into place by a crane.
“Clearly with the scaffolding being in place for such a long time it has disputed the pub operation but we have continued to operate during the duration of the works.
“We have repaired and maintained this historic building in the heart of Sheffield City Centre not only for Wetherspoons but for future generations in Sheffield.”
The building was designed by architects Flockton and Abbott and opened in 1867, as official offices for the water company, just three-years after the The Great Sheffield Flood of 1864.
It features the sculpted heads of Greek and Roman water gods above its doors. It is a stunning, if poorly-timed, construction that was built just three-years after the tragic events of 1864. Due to mounting pressure following the engineering failures and infrastructure needs, the water supply transitioned to municipal control from governmental oversight via the Sheffield Corporation in 1880.
In the years that followed it was later the home of the hugely successful Graves Mail Order Empire, which was founded by John George Graves, who gave back plenty to the city including the likes of Graves Park and Graves Art Gallery. Many years later, it became Transport Offices (known as Cambridge House), and then Lloyds No.1, before becoming a Wetherspoon pub, just over the road from another in the form of The Benjamin Huntsman in Cambridge Street.
These photos were kindly provided by Wetherspoon employees Eddie Gershon and Paul Turner.
1. Sheffield Water Works restoration
Take a look behind the scenes of the Sheffield Water Works restoration | Provided Photo: Eddie Gershon
2. Behind the scenes of the Sheffield Water Works restoration
Built in 1867 and designed by architects Flockton and Abbott, the structure mimics a 600-year-old Italian Renaissance palace. | Provided Photo: Eddie Gershon
3. Sheffield Water Works
Take a look behind the scenes of the scaffolding of Sheffield Water Works restoration | Provided Photo: Eddie Gershon
4. Take a look behind the scenes of the scaffolding of Sheffield Water Works restoration 2
The team working on the Sheffield Water Works restoration | Provided Photo: Eddie Gershon