Favourite Things: '˜I have lots of fond family memories around city'

Tan Khan is the regional director with Monaghans based in Victoria Quays in Sheffield, with more than 25 years' experience in the property sector.
Tan Khan at Kelham Island which is one of his favourite places in Sheffield.Tan Khan at Kelham Island which is one of his favourite places in Sheffield.
Tan Khan at Kelham Island which is one of his favourite places in Sheffield.

He is a member of the Sheffield City Region LEP Department of Trade and Investment Board, Trustee Director for Sheffield United Football Club Community Foundation, former chairman of English Squash Foundation, Chairman of Key Professionals’ Club and board member of Sheffield Property Association (SPA).

He is a well-known figure in the city and has been responsible, over the years, for several key regeneration schemes with blue chip clients.

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A former head boy at Sheffield’s Hinde House School, Tan, gained a degree in engineering at Sheffield Hallam University before moving to Manchester for a few years and meeting his wife of 32 years, Farah.

With twins, Waseem and Miriam, they moved back to Sheffield to work at Eastwood and Partners, in Kingfield Road, Nether Edge, to be nearer to their family.

As a chartered structural engineer and civil engineer, Tan was able to work on some prestigious schemes but his love has always been sport. He is a qualified tennis coach and keen squash and racketball player.

The Showroom

One of my first major schemes was as an engineer whilst at Eastwood and Partners. The former cineplex cinemas were due for closure and an alternative venue for the cinemas was this former bus garage.

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I had many sleepless nights as we dug out the foundations in the basement and ensured Porter Brook, which ran underneath, was not breached.

We never had any problems with the upper floors though, as I’m told horses were used to pull buses into the workshops.

The building was also used by bands for recording studios and I do remember finding some old tapes from a group called the Human League. I wish I’d kept them.

Hancock and Lant

Having moved to Capita as director in 1998 I worked on a number of high profile projects.

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One of these was the former Hancock and Lant buildings just near The Wicker. A mixture of old and new, this 18 storey building provided a mixture of apartments and retail space in an area that really needed regenerating. This provided the catalyst for other investment.

Castle Market

I have many fond memories of the market and the area around it.

I used to catch the bus and walk from here to Sheffield Hallam University . The sounds of people bustling and buses screeching and traders shouting is a rarity nowadays .

My favourite place was Harringtons where I used to wander in and try some bell bottom trousers.

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I do hope we can recreate some of that vitality and energy in any future plans for the area. It does have a very special place in the hearts of Sheffielders like me.

Kelham Island

Spending much of my time meeting business people, I have become a connoisseur of coffee shops, so my colleagues tell me.

Much change has happened in this area and I have been involved in some of the schemes including, in its early days, the site of the Unite student building and Lion Works on Ball Street.

I’m fascinated how the landscape has changed organically rather than some masterplan and this has added to the fluidity from warehouses to coffee shops and homes.

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Kelham Museum and the new restaurants provide a serene location for all families to share the experience of Sheffield at its best.

Endcliffe Park and

Hallamshire Club

Whilst living at Hunter’s Bar and before we moved to Silverdale, we spent many glorious sunny afternoons at Endcliffe Park.

I now take my grandkids to explore the Park and feed the ducks after a session on the slide and swings.

The Hallamshire Tennis and Racquets club boasts two major champions. Nick Matthew the former world number one squash player and Jonny Marray, a Wimbledon doubles Champion. It’s where I have spent many hours of enjoyment playing tennis and racquetball.