Sheffield Station Gateway & Sheaf Square redevelopment

[skyfitsboy]

£50+ million station Masterplan was drawn up by the city council, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Midland Mainline, Network Rail, the Strategic Rail Authority and Sheffield One to develop Sheffield Station into a high quality gateway to the city.



Work began on transforming Sheffield train station and developing a world-class gateway to the city several years ago.

One of the first improvements was a new multi-storey car park which opened in 2002. Much of the refurbishment work to the interior of the station has also been completed including a new footbridge, the realignment of the Supertram stop, lifts from all platforms and upgrades to platforms.

New platform bridge linking directly to the station Supertram stop


New station concourse, now greatly increased in size


New digital rolling arrival/departure boards


New retail outlets at within the station's new concourse


The proposed Cutting Edge sculpture was conceived and designed in Sheffield for Sheffield, drawing on the city's unique traditions and aspirations. It confirms that in the 21st century Sheffield still stands at the forefront of metal design. Forming the centrepiece of the station square, Cutting Edge is a simple, elegant blade of stainless steel which will sweep through the landscape changing its shape in a series of curves. Approximately 90 metres long, it will have dramatically different ends: at the top of Sheaf Square it will be circular and a metre high; at the station end it will rise to a height of 4.5 metres and its form will be elliptical - appearing to 'slice' into the paving of the lower square.



The end sections will be set with glorious coloured glass designed by Keiko Mukaide, whose glass sculpture also features in the Millennium Galleries. Cool blue tones will be used at the top and hot vibrant reds/oranges in the ellipse, lit from inside to radiate a jewel-like quality.

During daylight hours Cutting Edge will be seen in natural light, its polished surface reflecting the city, the landscape and the people, but at night it will appear to float on a ribbon of light running along the full length of its base.








The re-development of Howard Street is part of the gateway development and is now a tree-lined boulevard with a stunning new water feature and seating platforms underlit with blue neon lights running the length of Howard Street.

Sheaf House (below) was demolished last summer and the demolishion of Dyson House is under way

[hella good]

definatley a perfect site for development. "sheffields new gateway" - indeed.

[Truefitt]

I have to say it looks great, I came to sheffield over a year ago and the station was still being developed and looked very old and the outside was certinaly a mess leading to Hallam, going there today its such an improvment, from walking down Howard street.

[RSWB]

This is certainly what Sheffield needs, a nice pleasant gateway to the city, currently it is very disorientating, you don't know which way the city centre is!
But this looks much more welcoming and creates a definate route to the heart of the city.

[unners]

http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/p....asp?akey=3401

Scaffolding going up around Dyson House next Monday and demolishion completed by may with no road closures and the first section of the Cutting Edge delivered next Sunday.

[sw9wj]

The station gateway really is going to be a superb introduction to Sheffield for visitors. Thinking of other cities I've visited recently by train, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool - they all have grander stations but once you step outside, there really is nothing special. In fact some of the station areas in these cities are positively grim. I think that one of the things Sheffield has done and is doing well is the development of quality public spaces.

[dinp]

Originally Posted by unners

http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/p....asp?akey=3401

Scaffolding going up around Dyson House next Monday and demolishion completed by may with no road closures and the first section of the Cutting Edge delivered next Sunday.

Excellent news, that whole area seems to have been a mess for ages. I just hope they replace Dyson House with something truely stunning and tall, similar to the Spital Tower design.

[Bladerunner]

According to the plan, Sheaf Street will remain as a busy part of the inner ring road, with two lanes in each direction. Pedestrians will still need to cross it to get into the city centre.

If traffic could somehow be diverted above the station, it would make the city gateway much more attractive.

[dinp]

I think they should have used the slope to their advantage and put an open plan subway underneath the road, or a pedestrian bridge over a channeled road.

Alas no. It will look better than before though.

[snup]

Found two more images of the new station square.

When coming out of the station. Cutting Edge sculpture is the silver coloured "wall" on the right


When walking towards the station

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by sw9wj

Thinking of other cities I've visited recently by train, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool - they all have grander stations but once you step outside, there really is nothing special.

Not really sure that applies to Leeds. What Midland station needs is a quality gateway building directly outside the station. There was supposed to be a competition to design a structure on the site of the two glass blocks below. Anyone know if this is still going to happen?

[skyfitsboy]

Three huge sections of the Steel sculpture have been installed outside the station, its still pretty much under wraps though at the moment heres a few pics taken outside and a couple inside at the train station this afternoon








WELCOME TO SHEFFIELD - IT WILL BE NICE WHEN IT'S FINISHED!

[Truefitt]

Its looking alot better, and when its done it will all look great, the big metal wall thingy will look great in the sun, like it does on them pics

[sony]

Top pics skyfitsboy!! I personally would like to thank you for all the quality pics you keep posting. Until I get my camera, keep up the good work!!

[adsheff]

Love the plans for the public space but do they really need to squeeze those buildings in between the main road and the Howard / Showroom. I think the Showroom is a really cool Art-Deco ish building and should be seen from the station. Also, the Howard looks kinda quirky with its mock-tudor in amongst mostly modern buildings. Anyone agreee? I'd like some sort of protest so I can chain myself to something. Not sure if this is gonna be it....

[AndrewC]

I'm not sure those visions will really be built, that area looks pretty well 'finished' in terms of the pavement, it doesn't look like its being readied for some small office block. And it would be small.

[dinp]

Sheaf Street will be re-aligned slightly from how it is not, but you're right andrew, any building would be a small one - but then you never know, Hallam might use it for something.

[nick_taylor]

How many platforms are at the station?

[Bladerunner]

There are about 12, I think. They divide into sub-platforms like 2a, 2b, 8a, 8b. Plus the tram tracks, if you're counting them.

[dinp]

Without going into the 1a, 1b and so on, I believe there are EIGHT for the trains and TWO for the trams.

The 1a's and so on are the same platform, just the opposite ends