English Partnerships and joint venture developer JF Finnegan have signed French hotel chain Accor to operate a 95-bedroom hotel in Sheffield city centre.
EP and Finnegans are redeveloping the listed Canada House on Commercial Street in a £5.34m scheme. One of Sheffield’s few listed buildings, the frontage building will provide a 786 sq m (7,300 sq ft) pub/restaurant and 879 sq m (9,320 sq ft) of offices. The hotel will be behind the building.
Canada House had fallen into serious disrepair before English Partnerships bought it three years ago from Canadian Business Parks. Sheffield city council forced the sale after it served a repairs notice on the former owners.
Built in 1873 as offices for the Sheffield United Gas & Light Company, it was most recently used as a nightclub until the late 1980s. The developers will have their work cut out to repair damage caused by vandals and a previous developer’s unfinished scheme. The building’s most stunning feature is a 25ft etched glass dome.
Crossland Otter Hunt is advising on the redevelopment and will be retained as letting agent.
EGi News 23/09/98
