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4.3 Cultural Industries Quarter

Character

The CIQ lies on the western side of the Sheaf Valley and slopes from north to east along the course of the culverted River Sheaf. The quarter developed as an industrial location in the 18th and 19th centuries. At its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area comprised tightly developed industrial workshops with residential areas for the skilled metal workers. The early 20th century saw the incorporation of larger industrial developments into this tight urban form. Slum clearance in the 1960s resulted in the demolition of much of the traditional Victorian industrial character and many of the cleared sites still remain vacant.

Persistence Works Refurbishment of industrial buildings Opportunity to reuse under utilised industrial buildings

Despite this large scale clearance, the quarter’s industrial origin is illustrated by the presence of the original grid pattern which remains largely intact (with the exception of the Eyre Street, Furnival Square and Arundel Gate interventions). There are also clusters of significant industrial buildings dating from the early 19th century concentrated at Arundel Street, Matilda Street, Sylvester Street and Mary Street.

The quarter as it exists today is still partially severed from the rest of the city centre by the post-war road network. However, the northern part of the quarter has a strong relationship with Sheffield Hallam University and includes many university buildings. The new Science Park and the Showroom cultural complex consisting of a cinema, bar and restaurant are also located in the northern section of the quarter. The remaining industrial areas to the south are effectively landlocked by the dual carriageways.

The area has been subject to a number of regeneration projects since the decline of the traditional industries in the 1980s. These projects aim to establish the quarter as prime location for cultural industries and reintegrate the area into the city centre fabric. Major initiatives which have helped established this identity include the Red Tape Studios, the Sheffield Science Park, the Workstation, the Showroom and the principally residential complex at the Leadmill Triangle.

Regeneration has taken the form of refurbishment or conversion of old industrial works and striking modern interventions such as the (former) NCPM, Persistence Works and the Site Gallery. Together with the Showroom complex, these developments are establishing Paternoster Row and Brown Street as the axis for recreational and cultural activity.

Building heights in the CIQ generally range from single storey workshops to 3-4 storey Victorian factories with modern buildings generally respecting this height.

Showroom Complex at Paternoster Red Tape Studios Republic Nightclub - adative reuse of an industrial warehouse Modern intervention in industrial streetscape at Brown Street

The initial impression of the public realm within this quarter is that it appears run down as a result of the prevailing light industry. With the exception of Paternoster Row, streetscapes are finished with asphalt, tarmac paving and concrete kerbs. The area is devoid of street furniture aside from basic street lighting. There is evidence that streetscape improvements are being incorporated at the new residential sites, the galleries and new businesses currently being developed in the area. There is also an improvement in quality in the areas surrounding Sheffield Hallam University with new paving materials such as perfecta paving, concrete blocks and some Tegulas. These public realm improvements and the pedestrian zones implemented at Charles Street and Hallam Square are important steps in the process of reconnecting the quarter to the rest of the city centre.

The significant buildings in the CIQ are:

  • The Butcher’s Wheel
  • Venture Works
  • 92 & 92a Arundel Street
  • Truro Works
  • 113 Arundel Street
  • Columbia Place
  • Sylvester Works

The distinct character areas in the CIQ are:

  • Arundel Street : comprising a group of historic works and small scale domestic buildings. The area is industrial in character with red brick buildings of similar scale developed on a regular grid street pattern
  • B. Mary Street: contains several unlisted 19th century red brick works buildings. Some buildings back on to the Porter Brook with many of the more interesting buildings hidden behind later street fronts.

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Generated: 09/16/2004