Date: 23/03/06
Source: Yorkshire Post
Author: Greg Wright, Deputy Business Editor
A £100m project inspired by one of Britain's most famous artists will soon dominate Wakefield's waterfront.
Developers CTP St James are about to begin work on a mixed-use development, which includes The Hepworth Wakefield, a £26m gallery and centre for creative arts.
The Hepworth Wakefield - which has been commissioned by Wakefield Council - will act as a centrepiece for a scheme which is expected to generate jobs and investment.
The gallery, named after the international sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth, has already secured a £5m grant from the Arts Council England Capital programme, and £4.9m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The gallery is being designed by architect David Chipperfield, following an international competition.
Work is due to start on site this summer, with the gallery scheduled to open in 2008. Outline planning permission for the project was secured by CTP St James and co-developers British Waterways in December 2004.
Detailed planning permission for phase one was granted last November.
CTP St James will start by repairing and converting the Grade II listed Calder & Hebble Navigation Warehouse for office and leisure use.
Three upper levels will be converted to provide 16,000 sq ft of office space.
An application has been approved for two office buildings of 15,300 sq ft and 17,800 sq ft.
The smaller of the buildings fronts the Calder & Hebble across a garden square, and has a small leisure or retail unit of about 1,500 sq ft.
It is hoped a café or deli will be opened in this part of the building. The larger building, which is four storeys high, fronts Bridge Street.
The residential development, which has 58 apartments, will be launched in April.
Coun Phil Dobson, deputy leader of Wakefield City Council and cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This development is fantastic news for the people of Wakefield.
"All the funding is now in place and work will definitely start on the project this year."
The European Regional Development Fund has released £8.1m to support the project.
Yorkshire Forward is also providing £9m to kick-start the rebirth of the area.
The grants will be used to improve roads, refurbish buildings and strengthen flood defences.
Oliver Quarmby of CTP St James, said: "The first phase will establish the quality of our designs and set out our ambition for the waterfront which will become a new part of the city with its own unique character and ambience - much like our Round Foundry in Leeds.
"This neglected part of the city will be transformed and will become a wonderful, invigorating and stimulating place to live, work and spend time." BDP are the architects for the Calder & Hebble project, while FaulknerBrowns are responsible for the offices and residential buildings.
The completed development, which will also feature large public spaces and gardens, will open up a southern gateway to the city. King Sturge will be the letting agents for both commercial and residential aspects of the project, with Hill Woolhouse working with King Sturge on the commercial side.
