Co-living is the housing of the future, says developers behind major Kelham Island scheme

Grantside has submitted plans to demolish the Aircraft and Commercial Tools buildings on Bowling Green Street and erect a seven-storey complex with 90 co-living units and shared amenities.

The Hive is described as “unique co-living accommodation that creates a community centred living environment beyond the apartment” with the target buyer aged 18 to 40.

A net zero carbon development, it will have flexible amenity, studio and lounge space over every level with adaptable apartments.

Cartwright Pickard, on behalf of Grantside, have dubbed it “a building which speaks Sheffield”

In the application, they say: “Easy city living takes the hassle out of homelife and diverse co-living accommodation, communal living and workspace promotes health and wellbeing.

“Co-living is not just build-to-rent, units are enhanced with communal amenity spaces and opportunity for informal meeting.

“The ground floor will actively anchor the development and its community with the wider neighbourhood. Small retail units and workshop spaces connect through to a central courtyard for the wider community to share.

“The offer is aimed towards individuals who require the convenience of a city centre location without the cost and inconvenience of ownership.

“The expected residents are key workers, Millennials/Gen Z young individuals with a side hustle, young professionals starting out on the career path and empty nesters or older individuals or couples downsizing.

“Co-living is experiencing a cultural resurgence by the emergence of a sharing economy with less importance placed on property ownership and a greater requirement for flexibility and convenience.

“Reduced lease lengths and deposits than conventional rental properties reduces the risk for the tenant.

“The rising popularity of co-living spaces is driven by young renters moving to new cities for job opportunities who are looking to meet and connect with new people.

“The idea is to create a community-centred environment that provides private living space and promotes social contact through community events to combat isolation and loneliness.”

The smallest homes are 30sqm in size, aimed at individuals or couples. Duplexes are 65sqm for individuals, sharers or young families. Then there are 82sqm two double bed homes with separate en-suite bathrooms, aimed at sharers.

There will be communal working spaces, open kitchen and dining with an “inclusive environment” to cook and eat collectively and a shared lounge with multiple sources of media.

Rooftop gardens will be communally managed by residents to “encourage social wellbeing, biodiversity and sustainable food sources” with bee hives managed by a local organisation.

There will also be a “dynamic laundry” to support social activities whilst waiting for washing loads to complete.

An app for amenities will mean “the demands of the residents can be sensitively and interactively managed”.

The existing industrial buildings are not in a conservation area but the developers say their history is “a strong asset to be celebrated” and they plan to record them prior to demolition.

Planning officers are considering the application, which can be viewed here

READ MORE:

- Sheffield City Council urged to press ahead with 'stalled' £250,000 bike hub plans

- Major demolition to make way for Sheffield city centre hotel to start 'within days'

- Owner explains why 'historic' Sheffield pub was demolished without planning permission