The transformation of the City of Wakefield's historic Civic Quarter into a new residential community of 63 homes and public spaces has taken a major step forward as construction work has begun on the ‘Wood Street Collection'.

When completed the Wood Street Collection, alongside new uses for once derelict empty spaces, car parks and land, will reconnect the historic heart of Wakefield.

A mix of heritage restorations and sympathetic new builds, the Wood Street Collection is being delivered by Fallowdale Homes, the housebuilding arm of Yorkshire-based property investment company and heritage specialists, Rushbond, in partnership with Wakefield Council. The Wood Street Collection, available for sale and rent, is a central element in the Council’s city centre masterplan, designed to meet the diverse needs of modern lifestyles, and the homes will appeal to residents keen to put down roots in a new neighbourhood where culture, leisure and business activities together create an attractive place to live.

Nationally and internationally recognised for its cultural riches and civic architecture legacy, Wakefield city centre makes a striking backdrop for the Wood Street Collection, designed by leading architectural practice ShedKM. Fallowdale Homes has appointed Keepsake Construction and Mulberry Construction Group as the lead contractors on the scheme which encompasses a series of distinct elements each with their own individual identities.

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Mulberry Construction Group is leading on the careful restoration of the city centre’s former police station which will become one, two and three-bedroom apartments, available to rent, alongside new three-bed townhouses at ‘Gill’s Yard’ – built on the former Council-owned car park of the same name, available for purchase. The apartments and homes are due to complete by summer 2025.

Later this month, Keepsake Construction will break ground on the delivery of ‘Gills Mews’, two and three-storey new build townhouses on the site of the former Rishworth Street car park, which are due to be completed from the end of 2025.

The Wood Street Collection as is collectively known, will include a new community garden alongside landscaping to create green space in the heart of the city centre, as well as streetscaping to provide attractive new public spaces and connectivity with the neighbouring amenities. Rushbond’s local ownerships include the former Crown Court building adjoining the Town Hall and the former Coroners Court on Northgate, both of which will be redeveloped for a variety of uses with further details to be unveiled in due course.

A feature of many Rushbond schemes is the introduction of public art to enhance the enjoyment of the places they create and Fallowdale Homes also plans to animate Wood Street Collection by working with artists. More details will be unveiled later this year.

James Dinsley from Rushbond said: "We have assembled a fantastic team of talents for the Wood Street Collection and this is an exciting milestone, as we start to see this new neighbourhood come to life. It’s been a detailed and intricate process to reach this stage, as we’re working at scale within such an important historic area of the city and it’s a challenge we relish.

"The heritage of the buildings and spaces in-between are imbued with civic stories from Wakefield’s past and the whole team is inspired by the history of the area. Many European cities’ most attractive neighbourhoods are a mix of historic and modern buildings and that’s our ambition for the transformed Civic Quarter.

"What the Wood Street Collection will offer is a range of individual, original homes and public spaces for all to enjoy, building a new chapter for the neighbourhood and the city centre."