First roofs installed on houses at £80m Friar Gate Goods Yard scheme

Wavensmere Homes has revealed that the first roofs have been installed to rows of terraced houses created as part of the £80 million Friar Gate Goods Yard restoration project.

Construction is at various stages for the two- and three-bedroom houses, with the superstructure works ongoing for three terraces.

According to Wavensmere, the first 31 houses will be available for occupation in Q2 2026.

Alongside the 276 new build homes, two landmark Grade II listed buildings are being reanimated into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial space.

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

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “Having lain derelict for well over 50 years, there was never any doubt that the redevelopment of Friar Gate Goods Yard was going to be a labour of love.

“Many developers had looked at the viability of this project and passed on it, due to the financial undertaking and complexities of the restoration of the listed buildings.

“But the over-engineering and architectural beauty of these two Victorian assets will create the most inspiring and unique spaces, which is why we are already receiving so many occupier enquiries.”

Prior to work starting in October 2024, the 11.5-acre (4.96Ha) historic site in Derby city centre had lain derelict since 1967.

A new spine road has been created, with site-wide road and sewer infrastructure works also undertaken.

The enabling works for the vast 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House have included grit blasting, sandblasting and the restoration of over 100 original structural steels by Wavensmere’s specialist contractor.

The painstaking restoration of the 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.

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

Mayor for the East Midlands Claire Ward – and the MPs for Derby North and South – recently visited the site to view the progress for themselves.

Claire said: “I have been calling for more homes to be built on brownfield land, which Wavensmere Homes has been making a reality in Derby for several years. It’ll be a milestone for the city to celebrate when the first residents move into Friar Gate Goods Yard.”

Catherine Atkinson, MP for Derby North, said: “Having visited Friar Gate Goods Yard in October 2024 when work started, it was fantastic to see how much the site has already transformed.

“This vast redevelopment is restoring a piece of Derby’s history while creating new homes, workplaces, amenities, jobs, and giving a major boost to the local economy.”

Baggy Shanker, MP for Derby South, said “Friar Gate is part of Derby’s story. People know it, they pass it every day, and it says a lot about our city.

“That’s why it’s so good to see it being brought back into use, with real investment going in, rather than being left to sit there.

“This is about backing Derby and backing its future. The skill and craftsmanship going into the site isn’t just improving another corner of our city, it’s a real statement about where Derby is heading.”

James added: “Regeneration projects as complex as this require considerable up-front investment.

“We will have spent well over £30 million on site works at Friar Gate Goods Yard before the first homes are ready to move into this summer.

“This is in addition to the money we spent purchasing the land and throughout the extensive design and planning process.”