Former law firm HQ bought by developer

The building, on Clarkehouse Road in Sheffield, across from the Botanical Gardens, was home to one of the city’s oldest firms of solicitors, Wake Smith, for 25 years.

It was also once the headquarters of Bassett Foods.

Now the 11,750 sq ft building is set for a new future after it was bought by Sheffield-based property developer and investor Primesite UK.

Primesite managing director Scott Hinchliffe,said he was pleased to conclude the deal and said the firm is considering a number of options,

He said: “There can’t be many people in the city who haven’t seen this building whether by driving past it or on a visit to the Botanical Gardens.

“It has a fantastic heritage and is a true landmark building to the west of the city centre.

“We’re currently discussing a range of opportunities but at the heart of all of them will be respect for the building and its history.”

The property was marketed by Crosthwaite Commercial towards the end of last year with a price guide in excess of £1m and following a best offers situation, the building was sold to Primesite UK for a figure more than the asking price.

Primesite UK, which is based in Woodseats, represented themselves in the purchase and Bell & Buxton solicitors acted for the vendors, a consortium of former Wake Smith partners.

Selling agent, Martin Crosthwaite, said: “This is a very imposing building in a highly sought area close to the western suburbs and we received a lot of interest from both owner occupiers and developers.”

Wake Smith, which has been established in Sheffield for more than 200 years, has moved into new offices in the Velocity V1 tower on Tenter Street in a move described as a “pledge of future commitment to the city.”

The firm, which was founded in 1802 as Wake & Sons by Bernard John Wake, became a limited company last year.

It employs 100, including 46 fee earners.