Review on Smithfields in Sheffield

If you aspire to taking part in Sheffield's new urban living boom, Smithfield is one of the several developments under construction from which you can make your pick. To look at the location first, Smithfield certainly is where it's at if you'd like to join in Sheffield's take on a certain kind of 'lifestyle' living. Smithfield is just off the main drag of the Devonshire Quarter.

Many come here to enjoy the local ambience, and wouldn't it be nice to step outside your secure Smithfield unit straight into the heart of it? The answer is that this vision of life at Smithfield does definitely have its appeal, but you do have to be totally urban in your outlook. Rockingham Street itself, on which Smithfield is located, is no particular beauty at present and quite gritty in parts. Yet there are already residential buildings here, including the student flats next door to Smithfield with their wacky soundbite-adorned facade.

Division Street, just around the corner from Smithfield, is peppered with florists, jewellers, interior design shops, clothes and shoe boutiques, and bars and restaurants at which to hang out (the odd old-fashioned Italian eatery remains amid the brasher newcomers). Closer still to Smithfield is West Street. Here Smithfield's residents will find their practical needs catered for. Both tram and bus stops are located on West Street, a couple of minutes walk from Smithfield. Convenient food shopping for Smithfield is available at Tesco Express. There is a smattering of interior design shops creeping in on West Street that may also be of interest to those living at Smithfield, but this street is as yet pretty much unreconstructed.

The Smithfield apartments will probably appeal both to young professionals and to students (especially if Mummy and Daddy stump up the cash!). The Devonshire Quarter that Smithfield is located within is also neither wholly tailored for one or other of these groups - and as such suits both. Smithfield is due for completion by the end of July 2005. The final release of Smithfield apartments is now available. Out of the total of 73 units at Smithfield, only 9 currently remain unsold. Smithfield's studios have all been snapped up already. One- and two-bedroom apartments are available at Smithfield on the ground, first and second floors. Some of Smithfields ground floor flats have patios.

Prices at Smithfield range from £96,000 for a one-bedroom ground floor flat without a patio, up to £140,000 for either a two-bedroom ground floor flat with patio, or a two-bedroom second floor apartment. The firm behind Smithfield is Broadfield Holdings (Conceptua), a successful Sheffield-based property development and investment company with a track record in residential and commercial conversion projects. Smithfield is an ambitious project for Broadfield, taking it into the realm of large-scale new-builds. The internal finish at Smithfield has an emphasis on a cool natural look and matt metalwork. Doors are natural wood, door handles brushed aluminium and window casings powder-coated aluminium. Windows are double-glazed. As for the flooring in Smithfield apartments, its vinyl laminate in the kitchens, ceramic tiles in bathrooms and carpets elsewhere. Water is promised to be high-pressure.

The developers are planning to make a feature of Smithfields internal courtyard, creating a minimalist decked area with a hint of a Japanese influence. This is certainly a good idea, as it will provide a much-needed retreat from the hustle and bustle beyond Smithfields doors. A café/bar is also planned for the ground floor of Smithfield on Rockingham Street.

Underground parking is available for all Smithfield apartments - at an extra cost of £20,000. This is a stupid price to pay for a dedicated parking space in Sheffield. Alternatively, a lease contract at a car park close to Smithfield would cost you from £1,200 per year.

For any families contemplating Smithfield, Springfield Primary achieves average ratings for the city, while Silverdale, the catchment area secondary, performs well. On the downside in terms of location, the very nightlife and buzz that makes Smithfield an exciting place to live naturally entails the possibility of some rowdiness.

West Street, the closest main road to Smithfield, and the quiet side streets off it are places where women in particular should take care when walking alone after dark. Petty theft, especially of mobile phones, is an increasing problem in the area where Smithfield is situated, as it is throughout central Sheffield. The agent handling Smithfield provided a price list, although we were disappointed to find that no other marketing literature or information on Smithfield was available (we were told that they had run out).

The casual and slightly weary attitude of Smithfields agents is perhaps understandable, though, when you consider that they probably don't have to work too hard to sell these properties.