The St. Vincent’s quarter is located in the north west of the city and rises from the Don Valley basin to the south west, affording views to the northern hills and the dry ski slope. Its topography has resulted in many of its streets being developed on steep gradients with slopes up to 1:8 in some parts of the quarter.
The quarter retains much of the original 18th and 19th century industrial street pattern, but has suffered Slum clearance and war damage have removed most of the evidence of the original public realm and built form within the quarter. Many of the cleared sites are being used as car parking or service areas for adjacent businesses, offering the opportunity for infill development. The area originally consisted of a dense mix of traditional steelwork industries and back to back terraces. Today, it remains predominately industrial in character with a pocket of 20th century social and student housing residential development in the southwestern corner.
Sheffield City Council Vison for Future of St Vincents Quarter
The St. Vincent’s Quarter will become a vibrant and integral part of Sheffield’s city centre. An intimate urban neighbourhood will evolve within the quarter, with St. Vincent’s Church restored as the focus. Sensitively and innovatively adapted for reuse, the Church will be the landmark of the quarter and the centre of the St. Vincent’s community. The landscaped church grounds will also offer a new green space in the heart of the quarter.
The traditional heavy metals industry of St. Vincent’s will gradually migrate consolidate towards the north of the quarter, enabling the expansion of housing and a diversification of uses. Whilst some businesses may choose to relocate to modern premises in new industrial areas outside the city centre, others will consolidate around the Shalesmoor spine.
Mixed use activity will be concentrated In throughout the heart of the quarter, around Upper Alen St/ Solly St. This will see the many gap sites, parking lots and underused buildings taken up for redevelopment. In some instances the industrial heritage of the area will be reflected through the retention and adaptive re-use of historic buildings. Elsewhere, the quarter will be home to contemporary design innovation.
The primary routes within the quarter at Upper Allen Street, Scotland Street Solly Street will become mixed use streets spines, providing activity and local amenities for residents, students and workers in the area. The spectacular views afforded from the Solly Street ridgeline will be maximised with new development and open spaces which embrace the quarter’s dramatic topography and aspect.
With the managed expansion of Sheffield University into St. Vincent’s, the quarter will become a part of the university’s research and development ventures, as well as an ideal location for student accommodation. The streets within the quarter will be given a new life and vibrancy with student activities.
In the residential enclave at the southwestern tip of the quarter, high quality housing will be developed, catering for a variety of household types and tenures. New green spaces will see this area recreated as an attractive, high density ‘garden suburb’ within the city centre.
The completion of the Inner Relief Road will open significant redevelopment sites along Shalesmoor. The role of Shalesmoor, Tenter Street and Broad Lane as metropolitan gateways into the city centre will also be reinforced with a new strength and consistency of built form along these important routes.
Throughout the quarter, infill developments and public realm improvements will see the creation of an attractive urban environment. The streets of St. Vincent’s will be relieved of the proliferation of parked cars with a more co-ordinated approach towards carparking. A strong pedestrian focus will enhance connections to the neighbouring quarters, including the activity of the Kelham riverside, St.George's and the Cathedral Quarter.
