4.8 Riverside Quarter

Character

Riverside is the largest of the city centre quarters. Its key feature, the River Don, enabled its development as a manufacturing hub during the 19th century. The quarter retains its industrial appearance and development is traditionally related to manufacturing or waterway traffic.

As the city extended northwards during the 19th century, the river was canalised and many large scale industrial buildings were constructed to the water’s edge. In some instances this has created fine landscapes of industrial riverside heritage which remain today. However, there are many developments which significantly detract from their riverside location, such as poorly sited multistorey carparks.

Today, many buildings within the quarter show signs of neglect and the urban environment suffers from the heavy traffic carried by its main streets. There is a distinct lack of connection with the city centre due to the severance caused by major roads and the river, and the quarter feels remote as a result.

Whilst still predominantly industrial, new developments are taking shape in Riverside and its land uses are gradually becoming more diverse. An increasing number of residential, commercial and leisure activities are evident. As the precursor to this change, the recently completed Riverside Exchange has adopted the traditional form of the warehouse for a large-scale residential development.

Riverside has retained a number of fine heritage buildings, which are largely reminders of its industrial past. These include Aizlewood’s Mill, which has now been successfully converted into offices, and the landmark structure of the Wicker arches which signal the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century.

The character areas in the Riverside Quarter are:

• Bridgehouse. To the immediate west of the Wicker, this is a compact metal trades area with a number of industrial buildings dating to the early decades of the twentieth century.
  
  
• B/C Wicker and Lady’s Bridge. This is an ancient entry route into Sheffield and much of its significant 19th century architecture remains intact. The ongoing function of the Wicker as a key artery into the city centre has seen its general character negatively affected by growing levels of traffic.
  
  
• Victoria Quays. Located in the east of the quarter, this is a significant and intact group of 19th century warehouses, canal architecture and railway structures, including the listed Terminal Warehouse. New development, such as the Hilton Hotel, and marina facilities have seen this area converted to an attractive waterside space close to the city centre. Former railway viaducts are now used as cafes or shops and warehouses have been sensitively converted to offices and apartments. Victoria Quays is an example of how Sheffield’s industrial heritage can be revived through adaptive reuse schemes which will help reconnect the city to the river.

Aside from the Wicker/Lady’s Bridge, Riverside contains other important gateway routes into Sheffield city centre such as Corporation Street and Furnival Road, Sheffield Parkway and Nursery Street along the northern bank of the river.

Throughout the Riverside Quarter, tarmac paving and concrete kerbs prevail, and there is no street furniture with the exception of basic street lighting. On major roads, a proliferation of signage adds to the poor image of the area.

There are few open spaces within the quarter, most of which are sited along the riverbanks and canal. There are a number of open lot carparks on the river’s edge, which is an ill-considered use of this land.

The River Don has suffered from its role in the evolution of industrial Sheffield, however, initiatives have been implemented to improve the water quality its and connectivity to the rest of the city.

Significant buildings in the Riverside Quarter are:

• The Wicker Arches and the railway viaduct
  
• Station Hotel
  
• Viaduct Public House
  
• Former National Westminster Bank
  
• Wicker Arches Works
  
• Victoria Quays, including the Terminal and Grain Warehouse
  
• Royal Victoria Hotel

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