Construction is closing in on the finish line. Credit: via Anita Morris Associates

Forge Island tops out

25 January 2024 09:22 Neil Tague Comments (0)

Rotherham’s £47m leisure-led regeneration project is on track for a late summer opening after Bowmer + Kirkland reached the highest point of construction.

The hotel and cinema building structures have now been topped out at the flagship destination, which is being taken forward by Muse and Rotherham Council.

Once open, Forge Island will include an eight-screen boutique cinema, delivered by The Arc, alongside a 69-room Travelodge hotel.

All commercial space has already been let with six independent restaurants confirmed including Sakku Samba, The Rustic Pizza Co and Estabulo. This will all be set within spaces designed by re-form Landscape Architecture.

The wider project team also includes Arup, Helm Consulting and Arcadis, with a new pedestrian bridge designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.

Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans.

A cinema is keenly-awaited in Rotherham. Credit: Joe Horner

Cllr Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: “It’s just over a year since we broke ground and here we are topping out these amazing buildings with more exciting milestones to come.

“Forge Island is the single biggest investment in our town centre for decades and it’s successfully transforming a disused retail site into a landmark family-friendly destination we can all enjoy and be proud to have on our doorstep.”

Raife Gale, senior development manager at Muse, added: “We’re thrilled to have reached this significant and very visual milestone that shows just how far this scheme has progressed over recent months.

“We have been working closely in partnership with the Council to create something special for the people of Rotherham and this will undoubtedly help to bring families into the town centre and enjoy it as a leisure destination once again.”

The Arc Cinema will be Rotherham’s first movie theatre in more than 30 years.

Now that the external structures have completed, work will continue on the building facades ahead of the fit out of the F&B outlets, hotel and cinema complex in the spring and final works to the new public realm.