St Mary’s Gate Premier Inn

Positioned directly along the inner ring road, the development was designed to restore the continuity of Sheffield’s city centre fabric and reinforce its presence when viewed from key approach routes. By creating a single, visually unified building block, the scheme successfully terminates several important vistas and establishes a bold new frontage along this critical urban edge.

This project plays a significant role in the regeneration of the area — transforming an under-utilised plot into a thriving destination for business and tourism. The introduction of the Premier Inn hotel increases footfall, supports the local economy, and provides much-needed accommodation for visitors to the city. The inclusion of high-quality office space adds commercial value and future flexibility, encouraging a blend of uses that support both daytime and evening activity.

By stitching together the city edge with a landmark mixed-use intervention, the development has added long-term value to the surrounding area, supporting Sheffield’s wider economic and urban development ambitions.

This mixed-use development is comprised of two distinct but linked multi-storey buildings — a hotel and an office building — united by a shared podium containing entrance lobbies and integrated car parking. The design responds directly to the complexities of the site: the more acoustically challenging St Mary’s Gate frontage is occupied by the office element, while the hotel is located on the quieter Young Street elevation, providing a more suitable outlook and guest experience.

The architectural language draws on contextual materials and proportions, but with a contemporary execution that enhances its civic presence while remaining sensitive to its surroundings. The massing and articulation create a cohesive yet dynamic street edge, helping to stitch together a previously fragmented area of the city.

While the scheme’s sustainability features may be modest by today’s standards, key passive design strategies were integrated to enhance comfort and efficiency. The podium structure consolidates circulation and services to maximise land use efficiency, while integrated car parking ensures minimal land take.

The central location encourages the use of public transport and active travel, with easy pedestrian access to nearby city centre amenities and bus routes. This aligns with broader sustainable urban development goals and reduces dependency on car travel for hotel guests and office users alike.