Wheatsheaf Works

Leicester mayor launches official opening of Wheatsheaf Works

7th February 2012

The first phase of a £20 million redevelopment of the site of one of Leicester's most historic buildings will be revealed this week, as special guest, Sir Peter Soulsby, officially opens the new show home at Wheatsheaf Works.

Leicester's first elected mayor will be cutting the ribbon at the new show home at 12.30pm on Friday 10th February at an exclusive invitation-only event held by redevelopment specialists Urban Rhythm, who is transforming the site of a neglected shoe factory into 172 high quality homes.

The event will be attended by industry professionals and council members, and will showcase Phase One and its new homes for the first time, revealing how the site encompassing the Grade II listed building is being restored to its former glory.

Sir Peter Soulsby comments: "The Wheatsheaf Works is one of Leicester's landmark buildings and it's wonderful to see it being brought back into use in such an imaginative way."

As the specialist redevelopment branch of luxury homebuilder Hazelton Homes, Urban Rhythm is known for its unusual city developments, which focus on refurbishing buildings with an interesting past.

Richard Hazelton, Commercial Director at The Hazelton Group, says: "Urban Rhythm is delighted to finally reveal the culmination of Phase One of this exciting project and to have such a special guest to unveil it.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming Sir Peter Soulsby to this exciting event, which celebrates our efforts to make this popular and fashionable location the destination of choice for young professionals, the eco aware and the design literate.

"We're also keen to see what visitors think of the first phase of Wheatsheaf Works and the 16 modern, highly energy efficient homes we have created here so far, which feature underfloor heating to the ground floor and air source heat pumps as standard.

"All of the properties on offer benefit from the most modern designs and layouts, created to provide innovative housing solutions in what will evolve into an exciting new community.

"After sitting abandoned for so long, we're proud to also be restoring the beautiful Wheatsheaf Works building to the grand sight it once was, while also creating a place where people will aspire to live."

Following the official opening, Urban Rhythm will be playing Cupid on the 11th and 12th February as it welcomes the public to The Shakespeare show home for the first time.

Confident house hunters will fall in love with the homes on offer, the city development specialist has chosen Valentine's weekend for the highly anticipated launch, where visitors can explore the modern, three-bed show home.

As well as shopping for a new home, prospective buyers will be treated to a little romance with Valentine-themed refreshments and the chance to enter an exciting prize draw to win a luxury spa break at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire.

Built in 1891, Wheatsheaf Works Boot and Shoe Factory was once the largest shoe factory in the world, later falling into disrepair as soaring production costs saw manufacturing move abroad.

Having sat derelict for a decade, the historic building was taken on by Urban Rhythm in 2010, who is transforming the landmark site into an up-to-date development and restored its iconic clock tower.

Wheatsheaf Works is now an historic site with a contemporary twist after Leicester architects JSP Architecture devised plans to blend old and new, bringing together converted homes within the original building and brand new properties, located around an extensive landscaped courtyard.

The official opening, which will run from 12noon to 1.30pm, marks the unveiling of Phase One of the project, named Quarter One after the building's clock tower and featuring a mix of modern new-build townhouses. A total of 31 houses will eventually make up this first phase of the development.

The new three-bedroom Shakespeare design show home is located on Wheatsheaf Way, just off Wordsworth Road, and will be open to the public from Saturday 11th February.

Find out more about the new homes at Wheatsheaf Works by calling Urban Rhythm on 01536 714920 or visiting www.hazeltonhomes.com/urban

Press information - Hannah Elwell or Sarah Ross at Unsworth Sugden, 0116 247 1777.

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