The house in Sheffield, Canada will be transformed into a music venue

A Grade II listed building in Sheffield is to be transformed into a music teaching and performance centre.

Harmony Works Trust announced this week that it had completed the purchase of Canada House for £1.6 million.

Built in 1874 in the style of an Italianate villa, the building in the Castlegate area of ​​the city was previously the offices of the local gas commission until 1972.

It will now be restored by the trust, which promotes music education for young people.

The charity’s chairman, David Hobson, said the deal was “a huge milestone”.

Plans for the site include turning the rooms into a cafe, rehearsal spaces and recording studios.

Canada House was a nightclub in the 1980s and was also occupied by a Chinese restaurant and the offices of a lingerie brand.

Mr Hobson added: “Our aim is to promote growth and transformation through the power of music.

“We are incredibly excited that Canada House is officially ours.”

The trust, which was granted charitable status in August, bought the property from retailer Panache.

Harmony Works Project Director Emily Pieters said: “While we are one step closer to achieving our long-term goals of creating a more accessible and inclusive music pathway for young people and their communities across the Sheffield region, our work it’s just beginning here. .”

The trust needs support from the private sector to cover the £7m refurbishment costs.

The charity is applying for Arts Council England funding for the next phase of the project.

Sheffield City Council has also secured leveling grants as part of the regeneration of the area.

The trust added that it hopes to bring “a vital step forward” to Castlegate and has ambitions to attract “top class” musicians to perform at the centre.