Construction is underway on Hive, a £24 million co-living residential development in Kelham Island, Sheffield, with HBC Construction Limited (HBC) appointed as main contractor on the 100-home scheme.

The development, led by York-based developer Grantside, is set to become the city’s largest purpose-built co-living project. Completion is targeted for spring 2027.

HBC is delivering the scheme alongside property and construction consultancy EDGE, which is providing cost and project management services and acting as Employer’s Agent. Both firms have a local presence in Sheffield.

100-home co-living scheme

Hive will provide 100 studio apartments, alongside a range of shared amenity spaces including a gym, yoga studio, co-working hub and roof terrace. The design combines private living space with communal areas intended to support shared living and wellbeing.

The scheme also includes active ground-floor retail units aimed at start-up businesses and independent traders, forming part of a wider placemaking strategy in Kelham Island, one of Sheffield’s fastest-growing residential neighbourhoods.

Communal kitchens, work and relaxation zones, laundry and café spaces, as well as rooftop planting and seating areas, are designed to encourage interaction while maintaining self-contained accommodation.

Sustainability and digital standards

The project is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will incorporate locally sourced materials and rooftop solar panels to supply energy to shared amenity areas. The building is also designed to achieve WiredScore Platinum certification for digital connectivity.

HBC to lead delivery

HBC will oversee construction from site mobilisation through to completion, working with EDGE, the wider design team and the client. The contractor has experience in complex, residential-led urban developments across the region.

Lee Powell, Managing Director at HBC, said:

”Hive is exactly the kind of complex, design-led residential project where HBC’s expertise in delivering high-quality urban schemes comes to the fore. Co-living developments like this require careful coordination of shared spaces and meticulous delivery.

“To manage this delivery, our project team has a combined service to HBC of 70+ years. We look forward to applying this experience and commitment to quality to create a space that works for the community. This project reinforces our established presence locally, and we are proud to be a part of bringing this landmark scheme to life.”

EDGE Associate Director Kieran Barnes added:

“It’s great to see work starting on Hive. This scheme sets a new benchmark for sustainable co-living design in Sheffield, and we’re excited to be involved in a model that genuinely has the potential to reshape how people experience city living.

“Sheffield has an ambitious goal of delivering around 20,000 new homes in and around the city centre over the next decade, so it’s great to be on site with a scheme that directly supports that vision and helps build confidence in the local residential market. We’re really looking forward to working closely with Grantside, HBC and the whole project team.”

Steve Davis, CEO from Grantside, said:

“Starting work on our first Hive co-living scheme marks a milestone in our residential growth plans and we are delighted to have appointed HBC as Main Contractor and be working with EDGE on the delivery of this exciting and innovative scheme.

“Together, HBC and EDGE form a highly aligned team focused on delivering a best-in-class co-living scheme that supports Hive’s wider vision of creating well-designed, sustainable and community focused living.”

The wider project team includes architect Cartwright Pickard, structural engineer Arup, MEP consultant Hoare Lea, and planning and development consultant Urbana.

Hive forms part of the continued regeneration of Kelham Island and adds to a growing pipeline of city-centre residential development in Sheffield.