Park Hill names in Historic England's top 10 buildings
Sheffield’s Park Hill has been named as one of the top 10 buildings in Historic England’s list of the 100 places, buildings and historical sites that tell the remarkable story of England and its impact on the world.
For the past few months, Historic England has been compiling the list, with the public voting its top 100 buildings; a list of the top 10 sites was subsequently announced, and saw Park Hill named as the number one building in the Homes and Gardens category.
Speaking of the news, Urban Splash director Mark Latham – who has overseen much of Park Hill’s redevelopment – said: “Park Hill’s heritage and history are well known. It is a fascinating place; an emblem of social change, a provocative piece of architecture and now a 21st Century community.
“Its role in British history cannot be argued - it is one of Sheffield’s great icons and I am thrilled to see it has been recognised by Historic England in this way.”
Park Hill dominates the Sheffield city skyline overlooking the railway station and tram tracks - often referred to as the ‘castle on the hill’. Urban Splash completed the first phase of its redevelopment last year with 260 duplex apartments that have an allocation of affordable housing. Many have a ‘penthouse’ view of the city from the floor to ceiling windows. All are occupied and include a mixed community of professionals, downsizers, couples and young families. There is also commercial space along the ground floor where 14 businesses have relocated which means that there are 600 people who now live and work in the building.
There is an active Residents Committee that has successfully organized a recent photography competition that proved really popular, asking those who live there to submit photographs that encapsulate how they feel about living at Park Hill. The shortlisted entries and winners are now on display in the entrance. The committee is also currently raising funds for a community garden. There is a constant demand for tours of Park Hill from schools, undergraduates, designers, architects and the general public who are interested in the building and what it is like to live there now, for professional and educational purposes or just because they are curious.
Proposals for a £25m second phase have been submitted for planning approval which will include 199 homes and 1,950m² of commercial space. It is intended that the whole of Park Hill will be redeveloped by 2022.
Historic England’s top 100 places is the second national list Park Hill has made in recent months; earlier this year it made no.6 on The Times’ list of the country’s coolest places to live
