A former shoe factory site has been transformed into homes following a £20 million redevelopment.

Yesterday, Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby cut the ribbon on the showhome opened at the Wheatsheaf Works site, in Knighton Fields.

Leicester architects JSP Architecture devised plans to bring together converted homes in the original building and new properties, designed around an extensive landscaped courtyard.

There will be 172 homes in all, incorporating the grade II-listed building and its iconic clock tower.

So far, 16 homes have been built in phase one of the development, called Quarter One, which features a mix of modern new-build townhouses.

A total of 31 houses will eventually make up this first phase.

Sir Peter said: “The Wheatsheaf Works is one of Leicester’s landmark buildings and it’s wonderful to see it being brought back into use in such an imaginative way.”

Built in 1891, Wheatsheaf Works Boot and Shoe Factory was once the largest shoe factory in the world, later falling into disrepair as soaring production costs saw manufacturing move abroad.

Having sat derelict for a decade, the historic building was taken on by Urban Rhythm in 2010, which is transforming the landmark site.

Yesterday’s event was attended by councillors and industry professionals.

Urban Rhythm was able to showcase phase one of the development and its three-bedroom showhome, called The Shakespeare. All the homes are energy efficient and boast underfloor heating and air source heat pumps as standard.

As the specialist redevelopment branch of luxury homebuilder Hazelton Homes, Urban Rhythm is known for its unusual city developments, which focus on refurbishing buildings with an interesting past.

Richard Hazelton, commercial director at The Hazelton Group, said: “After sitting abandoned for so long, we’re proud to also be restoring the beautiful Wheatsheaf Works building to the grand sight it once was, while also creating a place where people will aspire to live.”

www.hazeltonhomes.com/urban/