First Impressions: Urban Splash’s Park Hill

The grade-II post-war listed Park Hill estate in Sheffield has undergone a £100m regeneration scheme. Urban Splash - in partnership with Sheffield council, Great Places Housing Group, English Heritage and the Homes & Communities Agency - has transformed the site.

As well as apartments, it boasts 40,000ft2 of commercial space available for offices, shops, bars, restaurants and other purposes. Each unit features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city and the newly landscaped park areas around the estate.

Adrian Cohen’s verdict

Having previously visited Park Hill flats in Sheffield it is clear it is a massive mark on the landscape. The broad area it occupies together with its high rise walls, striking colourful panels and long spanning bridges make it quite the imposing structure on the landscape.

It is certainly not the most attractive structure, but it represents something that is rarely considered special in modern society. It represents living and, ironically, that living atmosphere had to be brought back to life. Such an imposing structure would be a severe loss on the landscape.

Even if someone had no attachment to the building, they may still be affected by its absence. That is why it may have been necessary to keep such a structure. If this building had such a strong effect on people’s lives, why not use it to an advantage?

When the Park Hill estate was initially built between 1957-1960 it was very modern for its time and helped boost community spirit in the area, Matthew Ashley

Matthew Ashley’s verdict

Before taking my first glimpse at the Park Hill estate I had heard all of the controversy surrounding the design - when I took a glimpse at the building I was blown away.

When the Park Hill estate was initially built between 1957-1960 it was very modern for its time and helped boost community spirit in the area. The unique design was based on an idea by architect Le Corbusier of creating ‘Streets in the Sky’.

The architects this time round have obviously tried to accomplish the same impact as before, they have created a design that is modern and full of colour.

Is the amount of money spent on the project worth it? From what I have seen already I believe that the money was well spent. For this iconic site within Sheffield to be redesigned and redeveloped into liveable property is worth the price that has been paid.

Adrian Cohen and Matthew Ashley are architecture students at Nottingham Trent University.