Plans to renovate Canada House on Commercial Street into vibrant music hub Harmony Works are well under way, according to a recent update by the council.
Speaking as part of Sheffield City Council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee meeting on 30 April, Principal Development Officer Lucia Lorente-Arnau said: “Harmony Works is well on the way to complete all the funding package.
“They’ve got around the £10 million and they need just over £2 million which they’re happy they will get.”
Harmony Works was awarded a £4.7m grant from the National Lottery in January, and has also received £3.5m in funding from Arts Council England through the Department for culture, media and sport Development Fund.
Fundraising is currently in progress to gather the remaining £2.5m needed to reach the £14m target.
Harmony Works will provide music education and enrichment for young people in the Grade II listed building located in the heart of the city center. It plans to open around late 2027.
The project is led by the Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Music Hub and their partners Music in the Round and Brass Bands England.
Councillor Ruth Mersereau said: “The renovation and repurposing of Canada House is such a brilliant addition to the city’s cultural educational scene, and from a transport perspective it’s brilliant because it’s so accessible to children by public transport and by foot as well.”
Harmony Works is part of a council plan to reinvent the Castlegate area, which has previously been a victim of underinvestment, antisocial behaviour and long term decline.
The regeneration of Castlegate will see a new park installed in the center, which will feature remains of the former Sheffield Castle. New arts venue S1 Artspace is being installed in the former Yorkshire Bank Chambers Building.
Sheffield City Council successfully bid for £20m in government funding in late 2021. The Levelling Up Fund is a government project aiming to invest in projects that improve communities and economic development.
You can find out more about Harmony Works at https://harmonyworks.org.uk/.
