Victorian repository set for sympathetic refurbishment

A former Victorian furniture repository built by famous Sheffield retailer John Walsh is set for a sympathetic refurbishment to take it into the next century. The attractive three storey warehouse building on Trippet Lane in Sheffield was last renovated around 11 years ago when the high grade of refit and retained original character features attracted a full quota of tenants.

A second phase of refurbishment on the building, constructed in the early 1900s as a multi-storey warehousing facility by department store owner Walsh, is now underway initiated by a host of suites becoming newly available for rent through property specialists Knight Frank.

Improvements to the office suites will include redecoration and new carpets plus upgrades to the building's communal areas including toilet facilities, kitchens and the reception.

Tim Bottrill, partner at the Sheffield office of Knight Frank said: “Walsh Court was converted into high quality, modern, open plan office suites around 11 years ago. One of the main occupiers is in the process of vacating the building and following their departure a number of suites will be available.

"A systematic refurbishment of the building is proposed as one of the outgoing tenants vacates."

The newly refurbished suites located at basement, ground floor, mezzanine level, first, second and third floors offer open plan accommodation covering a total of 26, 012 sq ft with floorplans ranging from 500 to 3,424 sq ft.

Tim added: "This unique property, which has connections to one of Sheffield’s most famous businessmen, also comes with 24 on site car parking spaces – something which is highly sought after in this city centre location.”

Immediately adjacent to Walsh Court are a number of smaller office buildings including Bells Square which has also undergone substantial refurbishment. Walsh Court also benefits from a location close to city centre shopping and professional business districts including the legal and cathedral quarters.

Walsh Court formed part of the Walsh empire which traded in the sale of silks, dresses, millinery, flowers, toys, stationery and patent medicine as well as making furniture and carrying out household removals throughout the Victorian years and into the latter parts of the 20th century.

Developer Phillip Haslam added: “Sheffield has seen an influx of new development within the last two or three years but this building offers something slightly different to what we have seen recently on the market. This development presents occupiers with space within a building of character rather than the more uniform glass and steel boxes which have become more commonplace commercial developments.

"The refurbishment programme on Walsh Court will allow us to further improve this Victorian building into a modern open plan office environment."

For further details on Walsh Court, visit Knightfrank.com.