Urban Splash shares an emerging vision for Cole Brothers
Award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash is inviting the people of Sheffield to step inside, view proposals and share their views on the transformation of the iconic Cole Brothers building, as part of a fortnight of activity this October.
Since its appointment, Urban Splash has been developing its thinking around how best to sensitively restore the Grade II-listed building and bring it back to life as a vibrant, mixed-use space. The vision includes provision for cafés, restaurants, shops, leisure facilities, potentially cultural spaces and flexible workspace on upper floors, – all designed to complement and expand on the success of the Council’s Heart of the City projects.
From 1st to 2nd October from to 12.30pm to 6.30pm each day, the public will have the chance to explore these plans in a newly created temporary event space within the Cole Brothers building ground floor, accessible via Barkers Pool. Attendees will be encouraged to offer their thoughts and feedback on the work-in-progress ideas. The information will also be available to view and respond to online.
Coinciding with this event, Urban Splash and Sheffield City Council have been working with two of Sheffield’s leading cultural festivals – Sensoria and No Bounds – to present special artworks within the old store, giving members of the public the chance to come inside the building again and experience stunning light and sound installations. It is hoped these will be the first in a series of cultural events and activities in the space and Urban Splash is encouraging Sheffield organisations and individuals to get in touch with temporary and permanent uses in the building.
From 1st-12th October, the new ground floor space off Barkers Pool will host The Light Organ presented by Sensoria. This playful, interactive artwork is suitable for all ages and turns sounds into a colourful array of sculptural light. Entrance is free, no ticket required.
From 11-13th October, Sheffielders can experience a different perspective on the much-loved former store courtesy of the award-winning music, art, technology festival No Bounds, which will host the Coles Hidden Corners, a brand new, curated series of interventions by South Yorkshire artist Mark Fell. This three-day durational artwork will see guided tours of the building's lesser-seen areas, where visitors will encounter unique interactive, immersive sound and light installations that they interact with to create the finished work. Advanced booking is required as spaces on the tours are strictly limited.
Mark Latham of Urban Splash said: “We are incredibly excited about the future of Cole Brothers, as we honour its past while creating a sustainable space for the future. We know this building holds a special place in the hearts of Sheffield’s residents, and we can’t wait to hear their stories and gather feedback. Opening the doors for the first time is a major milestone, and we look forward to sharing our vision along with some incredible installations.”
Urban Splash is the driving force behind the long-term regeneration of Park Hill, where over 800 mixed-tenure homes, green spaces, and amenities have already been created. Mark continued: “We've had a profound journey in Sheffield, especially at Park Hill where our approach has been to honour the building's heritage and integrate it into our designs.
“We’re eager to apply that experience now at Coles and are keen to meet with the local community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to steward another iconic Sheffield landmark."
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “The Cole Brothers building is iconic, not just in Sheffield but around the country as well. It holds a special place in people’s hearts and I, for one, can’t wait to see it transformed, open and full of life once again.
“Urban Splash have been working hard to put together a proposal which will fully utilise this Grade II-listed building right in the heart of our city and I’m really looking forward to seeing their proposals.
“Sheffield is transforming, it’s becoming a greener, cleaner, thriving place to be with developments like our incredible Heart of the City project becoming a must-visit location. I have no doubts the Cole Brothers building will be the same and I encourage everyone to go and see the plans when they go on display at the start of October.”
Find out more about Cole Brothers, and find contact details for suggesting meanwhile use ideas at urbansplash.co.uk/cole-brothers.
Further information about Sensora can be found on sensoria.org.uk/events/the-light-organ/ with NoBounds Festival information available here: noboundsfestival.co.uk
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