Something new is causing a big stir in Sheffield
IT takes a brave developer to push design boundaries in a sluggish market, but Sheffieldbased Jaguar Estates’ courage look set to pay off.
The company is creating a hamlet of eight contemporary houses in the grounds of Ranmoor Hall and though the prestigious location, close to the Mayfield Valley and the Peak District National Park, is enticing, the architecture is also proving a big draw for buyers who want something different.
The properties that make up Storth Hollow have been designed by award-winning Coda Studios architects, The Modernist-style homes are being built in a mix of traditional and modern materials, so the fabric is insulated timber frame topped with locally-sourced stone along with zinc cladding and render.
The windows and bi-folding doors are framed in grey aluminium and open onto southwesterly facing terraces that are positioned to benefit from views of the surrounding woodlands.
Inside, the developer is giving buyers the chance to influence the layout and design of everything from bathroom and kitchens to fittings and staircases. There is underfloor heating throughout along with the option to have air source heat pumps rather than a gas fired boiler.
Each property will have its own private garden along with a shared, landscaped “secret garden” with two large ponds, a waterfall and stream, rockery, pathways and woodland. Tim Wadsworth of Jaguar Estates, says: “We had the site for about six years and initially thought of putting apartments on there, but we changed the plan to eight detached homes because the local authority were keen to see something a bit different on there.
“It’s a desirable site and we could’ve done something traditional but we were keen to appeal to buyers who wanted somthing fresh and modern. Sheffield isn’t awash with this kind of property and we knew there was a demand for it.”
He adds: “The style of architecture has definitely attracted would-be buyers and the response from the public has been very positive. It’s created real excitement and generated a lot of hits on our website.”
The first houses at Storth Hollow will be ready for occupation in February next year.