Carillion launches major Sheffield development

05/05/2006

Support services and construction company Carillion has held an official launch of ‘The Square’, their major new property development scheme in Sheffield. The ceremony was hosted by Carillion chief executive John McDonough and Sir Bob Kerslake, the chief executive of Sheffield City Council, who performed a stone laying ceremony.

The Square, in the Castlegate Quarter of Sheffield, is an £80m scheme comprising 250,000 sq ft of Category “A” office space; 114-bed hotel; 400-space multi-storey car park; and supporting leisure and retail units. It is being developed in partnership with the City Council and with assistance from Objective 1 EU and Yorkshire Forward funding.

The launch marks the commencement of the first phase, which includes the hotel, retail and car park, and a 52,000 sq ft office block, with completion of construction scheduled for the end of the year. Detailed planning approval has been secured for a further 52,000 sq ft of office space with the balance to follow in single or multiple blocks up to 150,000 sq ft.

The hotel has been let to Travelodge and Q-Park is the preferred operator and purchaser of the car park.

Alan Mitchell, development director for Carillion Developments, said: “Today’s events mark an important milestone in the regeneration of this site at the principal gateway to Sheffield city centre. We are grateful for the positive and constructive support we have received from the City Council and the regional development agencies, Sheffield One and Yorkshire Forward, in reaching this point.”

Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of Sheffield City Council commented: “This scheme marks another important step in our plans to revitalise the City of Sheffield. This scheme is pivotal because it links the city centre with the lower Don Valley, providing high quality office space
and leisure opportunities in a part of the city that has been hit hard by the loss of traditional industries.

“It complements other major projects such as the Heart of the City development, and the regeneration of Sheffield Station, which have equated to over £1 billion worth of investment in the city over the last few years. Working in partnership with private developers such as Carillion, and with other agencies such as Sheffield One and Yorkshire Forward, is allowing us to transform both the economic fortunes of Sheffield, and the lives of the people who live here.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information about the development visit www.thesquare-sheffield.com

Carillion plc is one of today’s leading infrastructure, building and business services companies, with 40,000 employees and an order book worth over £9bn. In the UK and overseas, our people are working in areas vital to society. We are designing, building, and maintaining new environments for business and leisure, and safer, more reliable transport networks. Together with our clients in health, education, commercial property, local and national government, transport and defence, we are finding innovative, sustainable ways to improve the quality of life for everyone.

For further information:

Alison Nicholson – Carillion Corporate Communications – 01902 316889