Breaking new ground on historic site

Construction of a £27million teaching and learning facility in the leafy grounds of Sheffield Hallam University's Collegiate Campus has begun, following the successful demolition of existing buildings at the site.

The development, which is planned to be completed by autumn 2014, will result in a completely new Heart of the Campus building, with a new café, teaching spaces and social learning spaces.

The three storey building will be 7,200 square metres in size and will mainly be used by students and staff from the University's faculties of Development and Society, and Health and Wellbeing. The development also includes space for the students union, enabling them to better support students on both campuses.

Director of estates and facilities at Sheffield Hallam, Mark Swales, said: "This is a really exciting project - it's part of a £100million investment by the University into our facilities. It's replaced the Marshall halls of residence with a building that's much more sympathetic to the heritage and conservation of this picturesque area."

Project managers at the University are working with local archivist Jim Ford on creating a heritage trail in the Heart of the Campus.

Jim said: "Collegiate Crescent was one of the first private estates in Sheffield, and was built quite early - in the 1840s - and existed until houses on Victoria Rd were developed in 1854. But between the wars the character of the area changed, and it became less private.

"This area was also the second conservation area established in Sheffield, in 1967, and now there are over 40 conservation areas. On this particular site at the University there are some superb houses. Luckily, most of them have been preserved."

Construction of the new development is being carried out by GRAHAM Construction.

Michael Graham, executive chairman of GRAHAM Construction said: “It is clear there is a tremendous amount of affection for the history and traditions associated with the Collegiate Campus site and GRAHAM is tremendously proud to be playing a part in delivering a state-of-the-art facility which will continue this legacy.

“While the programme is at an early stage, we are already making strong progress on the project and look forward to developing our partnership with Sheffield Hallam University as the building emerges from the ground.”