Work begins on £75m Friar Gate Goods Yard transformation

Work has started on the £75 million transformation of Derby’s historic Friar Gate Goods Yard.

The mixed-use scheme by Wavensmere Homes will reanimate two landmark Grade II listed buildings into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial space, alongside 276 new build homes.

Site enabling works across the 11.5-acre site are now underway, with the groundworks commencing next month.

The first phase will incorporate the formation of a new spine road through the site and remediation works to the two listed buildings.

Simultaneously, construction of the first residential phase will take place, comprising 63 terraced houses, which will be available for occupation before the end of 2026.

The full redevelopment, restoration and construction programme is anticipated to complete by the end of 2028.

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “The fine attention to detail and investment we will inject into the reanimation of Friar Gate Goods Yard will see it become a nationally important trophy asset in Derby’s ongoing renaissance.”

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council (BH), said: “I am thrilled that Wavensmere Homes has made a start on site so soon after receiving planning approval.

“The two fine terracotta listed buildings are such important historical assets for our city and we can now be assured of their future.”

As well as the new build homes, the project includes a painstaking restoration of the 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House will deliver a total of 111,275 sq ft of flexible offices, health and fitness space, a restaurant/café, together with a regional sales centre for Wavensmere Homes.

Extensive new areas of open space, including play areas and pocket parks will also be created, in addition to the retention of the TPO tree buffer, to enhance the biodiversity of the site.

The elevated area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge will become a new multi-purpose public realm and community space, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades.

New vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access will be created at various points around the site, from Uttoxeter New Road, Great Northern Way, and Friar Gate, with the Mick Mack cycling route also to be extended.

Octopus Real Estate has provided a £24 million loan to Wavensmere Homes, which is the same developer behind the £175 million Nightingale Quarter scheme on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, to enable the four-year programme of work at Friar Gate Goods Yard to start without delay.

James said: “We constructed 125 family houses just across the city centre at Nightingale Quarter, but there was such intense demand, we could have sold them four times over.

“The 227 houses at Friar Gate Goods Yard will provide much-needed choice in the market and be the most energy-efficient in the city, so there is already significant pent-up demand.

“The first opportunity to reserve a home here will be in 2025, but we are collecting people’s details on our website.

“We’re very pleased to see the amount of early interest from people who’ve bought from us previously, including residents living at Nightingale Quarter.”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “I am delighted that work has commenced at Friar Gate Goods Yard.

“This vast historic landmark has lain derelict in the centre of Derby for over 50 years.

“Wavensmere’s redevelopment plans will have a transformational impact on the city’s landscape and image, while also providing a significant boost to the jobs market and local economy.”