Breathing new life into a national icon

Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate is internationally recognised as an icon of brutalist architecture, and is loved and loathed in equal measure. Built between 1957 and 1961, and set in 32-acres in Sheffield city centre, the estate was designed by architects Ivor Smith and Jack Lynn under the direction of Lewis Womersley, the chief architect of Sheffield’s housing committee.

The redevelopment of this local landmark was overseen by regeneration specialists Urban Splash, and Phase 1 of the project, which has seen the creation of 260 homes, 10 contemporary workspaces and the Grace Owen children’s nursery, was completed at the end of 2017. As part of Phase 3, Alumno was invited to partner with Urban Splash, alongside local Chesterfield-based architects Whitham Cox, to bring student accommodation to the site.

Our aim was to complement Urban Splash’s overall plan, breathing a new lease of life into Park Hill’s Southern Block, retaining all of its existing character while creating a modern, safe and enjoyable place to live. The accommodation includes around 350 fully serviced student bedrooms and a communal space, as well as up to 365 square meters of commercial space. There is a gym, yoga studio, small cinema room and dance floor.

“Our Park Hill development offers a spectrum of rents and a blended offer, with options for most students on various budgets, which is designed to complement the emerging mixed community of residents, businesses and artists that Urban Splash has developed as part of Phase 1,” said Alumno Managing Director, David Campbell. “We’re not targeting the luxury end of the market here, the key for us is community and place.”

The project is intended to increase student housing provision in the east of the city, with the majority of students currently living in the west. There is currently a nominations agreement in place with Sheffield Hallam University.

If you would like to keep up to date on this scheme, our Instagram and Twitter handle is @betonhouse_hfs and for bookings please visit the Beton House website