Plans to create new ‘cultural heart’ in Sheffield city centre unveiled

The proposals - which are part of the council’s overall Heart of the City II project - are focused on an area of the site between Wellington Street, Carver Street and Cambridge Street.

The plan - which is known as ‘Block H’ - is split into three distinct elements, with a consultation on two of them beginning today ahead of a planning submission this spring.

‘H2’ will be a brand-new building offering approximately 70,000 sq ft of office space, split across seven upper floors and a south-facing roof terrace, with retail, food and beverage units on the ground floor.

In contrast, the development for ‘H3’ or the Cambridge Street Collective as it will be known, will be aiming to retain as much of the existing façades along Cambridge Street and Wellington Street as feasible.

Sheffield Council say plans for the third element ‘H1’ - which will be housed in the former Leah’s Yard workshops on Cambridge Street - are at an early stage but are similarly focused on retaining the ‘unique character’ of the Grade II listed building.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield Council, said: “We will be retaining a lot of attractive heritage across the Heart of the City II site, while also ensuring we create new spaces that are sustainable to the local economy.

“With some of the most interesting architecture in the city centre, Block H was always going to be one of the most rewarding blocks in the masterplan. We truly believe that these new plans will help provide a cultural heart and social anchor to the scheme.”

Proposals for the Cambridge Street Collective include a large, industrial-style space, which council bosses say would be suited to a food hall or similar communal space.

Around this would be shops, a bar and restaurant and a leisure facility.

Public consultation for H2 and H3 runs 12 March-7 April, with public drop-in sessions at the former Clicks and Mortar shop on Pinstone Street, taking place on March 25 (3.30pm-7pm) and March 26 (11am-4pm).