‘Special’ £80 million Friar Gate restoration project hailed by Mayor

The Mayor of the East Midlands has visited a major £80 million restoration project in Derby as the scheme reaches another milestone.

Mayor Claire Ward – and the MPs for Derby North and South – visited Wavensmere Homes’ Friar Gate Goods Yard restoration project to see the first roofs installed to rows of terraced houses. Alongside the 276 new build homes, two landmark Grade II-listed buildings are being reanimated into more than 110,000 sq feet of commercial space.

Prior to work starting in October 2024, the 11.5-acre historic site in Derby city centre had lain derelict since 1967. Construction is at various stages for the two- and three-bedroom houses, with the superstructure works ongoing for three terraces. The first 31 houses will be available for occupation in Q2 2026. The full redevelopment, restoration and construction programme is anticipated to complete by the end of 2028.

Mayor Claire said: “The restoration of Derby’s Friar Gate Goods Yard is special for many reasons –  276 homes are being created on the brownfield land that surrounds the Grade II-listed Bonded Warehouse and Engine House. The complex restoration of these two historic buildings is being made possible by the value generated by the much-needed new homes.”

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.”

Friar Gate restoration

The restoration of the 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House will deliver a total of 111,275 sq feet of flexible offices, health and fitness space, a restaurant/café, together with a regional sales centre for the Birmingham-headquartered developer. New areas of open space, including pocket parks will also be created, in addition to the retention of a tree buffer, to enhance the biodiversity of the site.

James Dickens, Wavensmere Homes managing director, said: “Regeneration projects as complex as this require considerable up-front investment. We will have spent more than £30m 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.

“Having lain derelict for more than 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.”  

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.”

The elevated area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge will become a new multi-purpose public realm and community space, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades. New vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access are being created at various points around the site, from Uttoxeter New Road, Great Northern Way, and Friar Gate, with the Mick Mack cycling route also to be extended.

Members of the public will be able to reserve one of the houses at Friar Gate before the end of 2026. Interested parties for the commercial or residential aspects of the scheme can register their details via Wavensmere Homes’ website.