Striking giant panda sculptures coming to Sheffield

The three pandas will reside at the £66m New Era development of 686 student apartments and several private flats, office space and a cosmopolitan food outlets.

The larger than life sculptures are inspired by a giant pandas on the side of a shopping centre in Sheffield’s sister city of Chengdu in China.

Although smaller in scale, the largest will still be approximately the size of an SUV car and will have the same stylish geometric design.

The biggest panda – four metres high and weighing 1,350kg – will sit on the corner of the New Era roof. This eye-catching display will be clearly visible when approaching from the city centre and to those passing it on the ring road.

A one-metre panda will be climbing up one of the building’s pillars, while another will be sitting eating bamboo on the square’s bench seating.

In addition to the pandas, a two-metre-tall, mirror stainless steel deer will complete the art installation by the primary building entrance.

New Era developer and managing director Jerry Cheung commissioned designer David Wei to create the pandas.

“What Jerry and his team at New Era are doing is exceptional in the UK,” said David, co-founder of Hatch Architects.

“This will probably be the first true example of a destination based on modern Asia in the country.”

Mr Cheung added: “Our intention has always been to create something special for Sheffield and the wider city region.

New Era will deliver a flavour of the excitement, dynamism and energy of modern East Asia, married with the best of Western culture.

“The public square sits at the very heart of our plans. Now more than ever, we are seeing the important role that open spaces within a busy urban environment play in our general wellbeing.

“The inclusion of the panda sculptures aligns perfectly with the city’s originality and fun, creative nature. We are confident that New Era Square will become an iconic and landmark destination in Sheffield and even the UK.”

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