Riverside development resists tough market

A major residential development in Sheffield is continuing the city’s defiant resistance of the UK’s negative economic profile. Despite the tough residential market, Wicker Riverside, a 132 unit residential scheme situated next to the River Don in the heart of the city, has already completed a deal on three quarters of the residential units through agents Knight Frank, with the remaining units currently under offer.

The area, which previously stood as council wasteland for more than ten years, is being completely transformed by a series of developments.

Projects such as No1 and No2 Northbank and the iquarter are helping to provide more than £150m of investment for the new Riverside Quarter.

The Wicker Riverside development was carried out by Artisan in conjunction with architects Aedas and frame contractor MPB using ‘insitu concrete’ flat slab structure design and incorporates ‘green’ roofs and a striking terraced tower.

The mixed use commercial and residential development, situated at the Junction of Blonk Street and Wicker Street, is a ten storey scheme with 132 residential units and 3,275 ft of retail space with car parking facilities for 160 cars.

Tearle Phelan, head of residential development for Knight Frank in Sheffield, said: “The sheer quality of design at Wicker Riverside makes it one of the best residential schemes in Sheffield and it is no surprise that it is performing well despite tough market conditions.

“The development is very design orientated, with granite common areas, airy apartments, wonderful views, spacious balconies and rooftop terraces, all meaning the apartments can be enjoyed inside or out.

“The Wicker area has been largely ignored for a long time, but forward-thinking investors and developers recognised that the area actually presented a fantastic opportunity to create a new community.”

Plans are well underway to completely transform the prime waterfront site into a spectacular multi-million pound Riverside Quarter, with shops, cafes, bars and outdoor terraces.

The Riverside Quarter will also be complemented by a luxurious new five-star Crowne Plaza Hotel and Express by Holiday Inn Hotels, which will be connected to the Wicker Riverside part of the River Don by a new foot bridge.

Tearle added: “The new Riverside Quarter will be bold and innovative with really top-class contemporary architecture, creating a new distinct identity for the area making it an exciting place to live.

“Wicker Riverside will form an integral part of the overall £1billion masterplan for central Sheffield, linking the riverside area to the city centre and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration along the whole of the city’s central riverside area, which is already being borne out with the improvements made to the surrounding ringroad.”

The demand for Wicker Riverside apartments has left developer Artisan considering releasing a final phase of fifteen units which they were previously planning to hold.

For more information on the Wicker Riverside development, visit Knightfrank.com.