Approval for next phase of Smithfield project
Plans submitted by Genr8 Developments to deliver a further 62,000 square feet Grade A office development as part of the Smithfield scheme have been approved.
The developer behind Hanley’s Smithfield scheme submitted plans for the next phase of the £200M development in April this year, with significant demand for additional high-quality office accommodation identified.
Approval for the next phase comes as phase two nears completion delivering a 140-bed Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, and Clayworks – an 11-storey build-to-rent apartment block. The new office accommodation will add to the existing Grade A space at 1 and 2 Smithfield totalling 210,000 square feet and has potential to deliver 501 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. The buildings currently house occupiers including business water supplier Waterplus and professional services and technology firm Davies Group.
Richard Ingham, partner at Genr8, said: “Planning permission for 3 Smithfield is another significant milestone at Smithfield and one that we are hugely excited about. It will provide further high quality, flexible workspace and will have sustainability and the well-being of occupiers at its heart. With a focus on tech, this will be a genuinely ‘smart’ building that we believe will provide the ideal workplace for the future. Smithfield is currently undergoing a further transformation, which will see the completion of Clayworks BtR and the Hilton Garden Inn, along with significant improvements to the public realm and estate management. Smithfield is now a truly mixed-use destination of regional significance that will play an increasingly important role in the continued growth of the city.”
Outline planning permission for 3 Smithfield and a further 86,000 square feet commercial building was granted in 2017. It is anticipated that construction of 3 Smithfield will begin early in 2021, with completion anticipated for 2022. Genr8 is delivering the Smithfield scheme in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Councillor Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Smithfield has been one of the city’s real success stories in recent years and this is another significant step forward for the site and the city centre. The development has brought hundreds of professional officer workers to the city centre, which has significantly increased footfall and supported existing businesses. And with the Clayworks apartments and four-star Hilton Garden Inn hotel nearing completion, these will bring a further mix of permanent residents and regular visitors to the city centre, providing another huge boost to the city, which is essential as our city recovers from the pandemic and starts to look forward. Much focus now is going on how cities like ours recover from coronavirus and come out stronger at the other end. We’re all facing an unprecedented challenge but before the virus hit, we have to remember the city’s economy was in a good place, with employment growth named as the fastest in the UK in a recent report, so this is a really positive step to rebuild from. Creating jobs and bringing prosperity to the city is still one of our top priorities, and having planning permission for a third office block at Smithfield – which has already seen significant interest from a multi-national blue chip organisation – sends out a clear message to developers and investors that Stoke-on-Trent is open for business.”
Will Lewis from OBI, property consultants for 3 Smithfield said: “Stoke-on-Trent’s national profile as a destination for business is, rightfully, increasing and so the need for high-quality, contemporary space with flexible workspace solutions is important. Smithfield is the first development of its kind for Stoke-on-Trent and 3 Smithfield provides an opportunity to expand a community and create a relevant, engaging space for businesses to learn, develop and grow.”
