Member Article

OVO Spaces begins work on major Sheffield office refurbishment

SHEFFIELD commercial interior design and fit-out specialist OVO Spaces has begun work on the restoration and refurbishment of a landmark city centre office development.

The currently empty seven-story Deacon House in Eyre Street, formerly occupied by Midland Bank, is now owned by a London-based company.

The multi-million pound refurbishment being carried out by the OVO team aims to bring new retail and commercial opportunities to Sheffield’s regenerating Moor area.

It will meet the needs of the dwindling supply of office space in the city and will be specifically aimed at smaller, creative and digital industries.

The property has been redesigned by Liam Russell Architects, and marketed by Tim Bottrill, of Sheffield commercial property specialists Colloco and Guy Cooke of BNP Paribas.

“This is a hugely important project for OVO and also for Sheffield as a whole,” said OVO director Steve Ashmore.

“We have already completed the refurbishment of retail units at ground floor level, with new shop frontages creating a more welcoming aspect to the complex,” he explained.

“Now, however, we are beginning the massive next phase of the project, which is all about taking this building which has been empty for something like 17 years and making it fit for use today.

“There have been some challenges, including the removal of a strong room and a vault which was probably installed at the time when it was still a banking centre.

“In the main, though, this is a property with enormous potential and by bringing into the 21st century everybody involved in its redevelopment is convinced that it will become a welcome addition to the redevelopment of the Moor area.”

Among the many tasks being undertaken by the OVO team will be the construction of a new insulated roof, bringing the building up to current energy efficiency standards, the installation of new lifts and the creation of premier office space and facilities including a gym for the tenants.

A potential second phase will also see improvements to the site’s exterior, with new planting creating a more welcoming approach - and including proposals for pop up food stalls - with proposals too for rooftop co-working entertainment space

“It is everybody’s vision to create an environment that is more of a destination than just a place for work,” said Steve.

“For a Sheffield company to be working on such a prestigious development in our home city makes the project even more special to us.”

Based at Sheffield’s historic Victoria Quays, OVO Spaces is an award winning, one stop design and fit out specialist on projects for a wide range of leading companies, providing concept to conclusion building transformations for customers in the commercial, industrial, retail and public sectors.

Recent clients include Metalysis, Wake Smith Solicitors, Handlesbanken, BOC, Saint-Gobain, Greencore Foods, TRIB3 and development of the Park Hill Commercial Units in Sheffield.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .