Former hospital site hits rental milestone
The landmark regeneration of a derelict former infirmary site in Derby has hit it’s latest milestone, with more than three quarters of apartments now fully let.
Birmingham-based Wavensmere signed off on the 103-home Walton House in January, the final phase of development at the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
Now, the firm says around 80% of the scheme has been let – prompting managing director James Dickens to declare the scheme a success story for Derby.
“We are proud that Nightingale Quarter’s 925 new homes have transformed the city living market, acting as the catalyst for thousands more to be delivered within central Derby,” he said.
The wider Nightingale Quarter scheme covers an 18.5-acre site south of Derby city centre, snapped up by Wavensmere in 2019, and includes a total of 925 homes.
The Florence Nightingale-designed former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary had lain derelict for a decade prior to Wavensmere Homes’ acquisition and start on site around seven years ago.
The firm experienced earlier success at the site with Hardwick House, its first rental building at Nightingale Quarter. The 52 one and two-bedroom apartments in the building are fully let.
“When we acquired this vacant site in 2019, we set out to design a landmark scheme that embraced the DE1 location and didn’t turn its back on the city centre,” added Dickens.
“Nightingale Quarter has been incredibly popular on the rental market, with a new standard being set for quality city living in Derby. Walton House is achieving top rents, due to the professionally styled and furnished interiors, city views, parcel storage facility, EV car charging, and close proximity to Derby train station and all the shops and attractions. This is in the context of the city being underserved by stylish apartment schemes, when compared to so many other regional cities.”
