Work begins on £175m Nightingale Quarter’s final phase

Construction work has begun on the final phase of the £175 million Nightingale Quarter residential scheme.

Located in London Road, on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, the 18.5-acre development, which is being built by Wavensmere Homes, incorporates 125 houses and 800 apartments, together with an extensive range of community amenities.

The final apartment block, which has a value of £20 million, will deliver more than 100 new homes to Derby city centre.

The groundworks associated with the final block commenced in April and took four months.

Installation of the steel frame has now started, with the five-storey, red brick building due for completion and occupation in late 2025.

Craig Gee, construction director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “The Nightingale Quarter remediation, restoration, and construction programme commenced in late 2019 and within six years, we will have proudly delivered this £175 million project in its entirety.

“With five phases underway simultaneously at the peak of our delivery programme in 2023, this redevelopment has captured national and regional attention, and is already home to over 1,000 new city dwellers.”

The final apartment block will feature a range of environmentally friendly innovations, including solar PV roof panels, with battery storage, to enable the green energy generated on site to be captured and used to power a proportion of the building’s electricity use.

Electric vehicle chargers and rapid charge bays will also be incorporated into the new development, enabling future residents of the 79 one-bed and 24 two-bedroom apartments to minimise their carbon footprint.

Craig said: “The conclusion of the groundworks and start of construction for the final block of 103 homes is yet another milestone.

“This new £20 million building will create and safeguard around 100 construction jobs and continue to provide a significant boost to Derby’s economy and housing needs.

“By working alongside stakeholders and residents during this final construction phase, the entire team will be focused on the conclusion of an outstanding new community and delivering a highly sustainable legacy.”

Derbyshire Royal Infirmary opened in 1894 and closed 15 years ago.

While the vast majority of the Victorian hospital had been bulldozed, Wavensmere pledged to save and restore the imposing ‘pepper pot’ buildings, despite one being previously consented for demolition.

Pepperpot South opened as a marketing suite but has now been repurposed as a residents’ gym.

Meanwhile, Pepperpot North has become The Fulton Partnership’s sixth hospitality venue in the Midlands.

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “When we acquired this vacant site five years ago, we set out to design a landmark scheme that embraced the DE1 location and didn’t turn its back on the city centre.

“We are proud that our 925 apartments and houses have transformed the city living market, acting as the catalyst for thousands more homes to be delivered within central Derby.

“By installing new footpaths, cycle routes, roads, co-working space, a gym – and making a restaurant Nightingale Quarter’s new focal point – this redundant hospital site is once again a vibrant community asset.”