BTR specialist Placefirst teams up with Sky-House
The first project under the arrangement will be a 48-home scheme close to Kelham Island in the Sheffield-based developer’s home city, consented in October.
Designed by Coda, the Copper Street scheme will include 34 one and two-bedroom apartments and 14 two and three-bedroom houses at the site on the northern fringe of Sheffield city centre.
With completion expected in 2026, the development will also offer communal space for residents in addition to landscaped gardens in the neighbourhood’s centre.
The deal expands on Placefirst’s existing presence in the city with its Skye Edge and Gell Street developments as the firm responds to an oft-noted drive from the council to encourage high-quality rental options for Sheffield’s young professional community.
Located within the area historically dubbed ‘Little Chicago’ the project “will knit the development into the narrow and steep streets, forming a new characterful and contextual neighbourhood that will expand on developments in nearby Kelham Island over the past two decades” said the partners.
The homes will be zero-gas, featuring air-source cylinders, heat recovery and PV solar panels.
David Cross, co-founder and director of Sky-House, said: “This is a superb deal for Sky-House and the City of Sheffield, providing us with the finance to move onto other sites in the region whilst also introducing a quality national PRS operator to Sheffield.
“Our immediate focus is to complete site preparation works ahead of starting the build of the first home this side of Christmas. We’ll complete the build of all homes by the end of 2026, ready to handover to Placefirst for people to rent.
“Placefirst has been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the transaction and we look forward to this being the first of many between the two companies as we expand across the North of England.”
Henry Marshall, investment director at Placefirst, added: “Our ambition to expand our portfolio is directly rooted in our commitment to increasing the supply of high-quality rental options, which is why partnering with SME housebuilders who prioritise quality without compromising sustainability is key to our growth strategy.
“Sky-House’s approach to design and creating homes that offer long-term value to residents complements our people-first approach to renting. We believe that city centre living should deliver on both quality and affordability. As we work together on this development with Sky-House, we look forward to building on the success of our Skye Edge and Gell Street neighbourhoods and continuing to improve the rental experience in Sheffield.”
Sky-House is advancing projects around its Sheffield heartland, including homes within Harworth’s Waverley masterplan, while among Placefirst’s project roster is a £21m scheme in Halifax.
