Aztec signs at Sheffield’s Pennine Five

Appointed on a 27-storey student tower in nearby Hollis Croft, the newly launched design and build specialist has taken 4,000 sq ft at the former HSBC complex.

This will be the Northern headquarters of Aztec Construction, which was set up by Russell Sumner earlier this year.

Sumner heads a team of construction professionals with more than 30 years of sector expertise behind them.

With one office already in London, the firm’s Pennine Five base will be home to around 30 construction professionals and support construction projects in the North.

This includes delivering True Sheffield, the 27-storey student residential tower bounded by Hollis Croft and Broad Lane, consented in 2020.

Aztec Construction will take the ground floor of Pennine Five’s eight-storey ‘block two’ building off Tenter Street, directly underneath the Spaces co-working hub from IWG Group.

RBH Properties bought the five-block ex-HSBC headquarters in 2019 and has since instigated a series of improvements.

Director Jeremy Hughes described Aztec as “an extremely exciting and quickly growing contractor,” adding, “The fact they are basing themselves in the same district as one of their flagship construction contracts shows a real confidence in the evolution and future of this area of town.”

RBH interventions at Pennine Five include a £1.5m outdoor central plaza – due to open early in 2024, this will incorporate event space and art installations.

RBH’s Jeremy Hughes with Aztec’s Enda Duffy and agent Tim Bottrill. Credit: via Altitude

Russell Sumner, managing director at Aztec Construction, said: “We’re very excited to be moving into the Pennine Five development and plan to be in by November. It is perfectly located for our projects and allows us to continue building our presence in the city and the wider region.

“We understand the importance of refurbishing the existing built environment. Sustainable and commercially viable regeneration cannot be delivered through new builds alone, and we were really keen to be part of Pennine Five’s ‘renewal’ story.”

Tim Bottrill, founder and owner of commercial property agency, colloco, added: “Letting of Pennine Five is progressing well and interest in the remaining spaces is strong. The campus appeals to climate-conscious businesses and is a prime example of transforming an ageing space into a modern, high-quality environment.

“With flexible tenancy opportunities, communal outdoor space, plenty of natural light, EV parking and cycle storage, it’s a win-win for both occupiers and the environment.”