Park Hill

We have worked closely with English Heritage throughout the design process. It was important to revitalise the building whilst still maintaining its character. This was successfully achieved through constant consultation and a good working relationship with the team at English Heritage. Simon Gawthorpe, Managing Director, Urban Splash (Yorkshire) Ltd

Park Hill was the most ambitious inner city housing scheme of its time. Designed by Ivor Smith and Jack Lynn, it dominates the eastern skyline of Sheffield. In 1997 it was listed grade II* for its architectural importance, its ground-breaking use of ‘streets in the sky’ and its impressive scale. By that time, however, it had become run down. Branded a crime-ridden eyesore, it was no longer a desirable place to live.

Sheffield City Council saw the listing as an opportunity to tackle the problems of the site. It invited English Heritage to help explore options for its reinvention. We provided expert advice on the scope for change and identified the heritage values of the complex. These lay not only in the site’s history but in the scale and vision of the original council housing scheme, in the expressed reinforced concrete frame and the relationship of the building to the landscape in which it sits. Substantial changes to the internal layout and the infill panels within the frame could therefore be introduced without damaging its historic significance.

The project benefited immensely from Sheffield City Council’s sustained commitment and from Urban Splash’s good understanding of this historic site. Our willingness to consider radical options helped to build momentum and all were able to call on our advice while working around the many challenges of a project on this scale.