Sheffield is poised to welcome a new landmark, with the unveiling of plans for a towering addition to its city centre. The proposed 40-storey King’s Tower, poised at the junction of King Street and Angel Street, is set to rise to a striking height of 393 feet (120 meters), equivalent to the stature of 28 double-decker buses stacked together.

This ambitious project, which aims to replace the former Primark store, will primarily offer co-living spaces designed with students in mind. The Sheffield City Council’s planning officers have given a nod to the project, recommending its approval in an upcoming meeting.

Currently holding the title of Yorkshire’s tallest structure is Leeds’ Altus House. However, King’s Tower is anticipated to surpass Altus House, which stands at 37 storeys. Despite this, it won’t claim the title of Yorkshire’s tallest building, as Leeds’ Cirrus Point is under construction, expected to reach 436 feet (133 meters) upon completion.

Sheffield’s current tallest building, the 32-storey St Paul’s Tower, will be significantly overshadowed by the new King’s Tower.

David Cross, a prominent Sheffield architect and CEO of Sky House Co, highlighted the complexities involved in constructing such high-rise buildings. He pointed out the financial challenges, especially with a 20% increase in building costs post-Covid, alongside stringent regulatory changes focusing on overheating, sustainability, and light rights. The Building Safety Act, introduced in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, brings additional complexities with its stringent fire safety requirements.

The proposed King’s Tower will involve demolishing the current site to make way for 428 housing units. These units will be organized into clusters, sharing communal living and dining areas. Despite the challenges, Mr. Cross emphasised the importance of such developments for Sheffield, noting that the construction of high-rise buildings has been stagnant since the erection of St Paul’s Tower. The success of King’s Tower, he believes, will hinge on its financial viability and the ability to navigate the intricate web of modern building regulations.