Member Article

Yorkshire Artspace brings city building back from demolition in six figure revamp

Leading Sheffield arts charity, Yorkshire Artspace, has added one of the city’s landmark buildings to its studio portfolio and has also appointed a new chair, Grant Thornton partner Paul Houghton.

The Art Deco building on Exchange Place was facing demolition two years ago, but is now being restored to its former glory by the charity which is one of the largest and most established studio providers in the UK.

Following a four month renovation programme, the six storey building has opened its doors to 80 artists who will benefit from studio space at the historic venue which also offers project space and a residency studio for exhibitions and events.

Exchange Place Studios is hosting its first exhibition, a look back at the history of the building, next month.

Opened in 1922 as a wholesale branch of WH Smith, Hambleden House in Exchange Place was used by the Passenger Transport Executive from 1966, but has remained empty since 2009.

Following an outcry from local people, plans to demolish it were shelved and in 2013 Yorkshire Artspace worked with Sheffield City Council to propose a new life for the building.

The charity will stage its inaugural exhibition at its new Exchange Place Studios from 1-5 April, examining the history of this landmark building and its site in Sheffield’s historic Castlegate.

Called ‘The Three Lives of a Sheffield Icon’, Amanda Marshall, MA History student at the University of Sheffield, has brought together a fascinating collection of images of Hambleden House throughout its life.

Kate Dore, director of Artspace, commented: “A great deal of our success as an organisation is down to the skills and experience that our board members bring to the table.”

Sheffield designer and illustrator Lianne Mellor is one of the artists who has made Exchange Place Studios her new home.

Established in 2010, Lianne’s popular homeware range Mellor Ware features her quirky, nature and animal-inspired illustrations and her products are supplied to Liberty’s of London and independent retailers in the UK as well as exporting to Hong Kong, South Korea and the USA.

Lianne commented: “I am so excited to become part of the growing artists’ community here at Exchange Place Studios. The whole building seems to quiver with excitement and enthusiasm about what it is becoming.

“We’re all really taking ownership of our individual and communal spaces, and helping to shape what sort of workspace we want Exchange Place to become.

“I think it’s the perfect home for me and can’t wait to see all the great work and collaborations that come as a result of this unique community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .