List of brutalist apartment blocks in Sheffield
Green, foreground: Callow Mount complex
Grey, far left: Lansdowne complex
Blue-and-white, centre-left: Netherthorpe complex
Brown-and-white, centre-right: Upperthorpe complex
A fifth complex, the Herdings complex (where this photo is taken from) is just to the right, out of view. (Click image for larger version, where the complexes are visible more clearly).
The 1950s and 1960s saw the construction of a large number of Brutalist apartment blocks in Sheffield, England. Sheffield City Council had been clearing inner-city residential slums since the early 1900s.[1] Prior to the 1950s these slums were replaced with low-rise council housing, mostly constructed in new estates on the edge of the city.[1] By the mid-1950s the establishment of a green belt had led to a shortage of available land on the edges of the city, whilst the government increased subsidies for the construction of high-rise apartment towers on former slum land, so the council began to construct high-rise inner city estates, adopting modernist designs and industrialised construction techniques,[1] culminating in the construction of the Park Hill estate.[2]
Herdings complex
The Herdings complex originally included three towers, however one was demolished as it was deemed unsafe. After it was reduced to two towers, the complex received names such as the Herdings Twin Towers and Sheffield Twin Towers. While it was still three towers, the complex was also named the Three Sisters.
Queen Elizabeth Court
Queen Elizabeth Court was built in 1959. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and green cladding. It is located on Raeburn Place. Queen Elizabeth Court has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower; all of them are 1-bedroom apartments.
Queen Anne Court
Queen Anne Court was built in 1959. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and blue cladding. It is located on Raeburn Place. Queen Anne Court has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower; all of them are 1-bedroom apartments. However, its absolute height is around 55 metres, as it has a radio and TV aerial on top. The pinnacle of this tower is the absolute highest point in Sheffield, despite being smaller than the St Paul's Tower; this is because it is situated on a hill, and most of the other tall buildings in Sheffield are in the City Centre, a valley; or other valleys.
200-294 Raeburn Place (demolished)
200-294 Raeburn Place was built in 1959. It had 13 floors and was 38 metres tall. In the 1990s it was discovered to be unsafe, and it was demolished between 1995 and 1996.
Upperthorpe complex
The Upperthorpe complex was built between 1959 and 1961 on the site of old slums. The complex buildings stand along Martin Street, next to Crookesmoor Recreation Ground and Ponderosa Park, in the district of Upperthorpe.
Wentworth House
Wentworth House was built in 1959. This block was named after Wentworth Street which was parallel to Martin Street until the 1950s, when, in the post war slum clearances, the back to back houses on that street and the whole area were demolished and replaced by modern houses, and these flats. It was refusbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 1-95 Martin Street. Wentworth has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower; all of them are 1-bedroom apartments.
Adelphi House
Adelphi House was built in 1959. This block takes its name from Adelphi Street which crossed Martin Street here until the 1950s when the flats were constructed. Housing on Adelphi Street consisted of small dwellings which were cleared in the post war slum clearances. Adelphi House was refurbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 97-191 Martin Street. Adelphi has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Martin House
Martin House was built in 1959. This block takes its name from Martin Street, the street where all of the towers stand (except one). It was refurbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 193-287 Martin Street. Martin has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Burlington House
Burlington House was built in 1961. This block takes its name from Burlington Street which originally crossed the site but now ends at 289-383 Martin Street. Burlington has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Bond House
Bond House was built in 1961. This block takes its name from Bond Street which originally crossed the site but now doesn't exist. It was refurbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 385-479 Martin Street. Bond has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Albion House
Albion House was built in 1961. This block takes its name from the nearby Albion Street. It was refurbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 481-575 Martin Street. Albion has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Oxford House
Oxford House was built in 1961. This block takes its name from Oxford Street. This is the only tower in this complex not on Martin Street; it is aligned to the right of the other towers, on the corner of Martin Street and Oxford Street. It was refurbished between 1993 and 1996, when it received the current white, cream, and brown cladding. It is located at 469-563 Oxford Street. Oxford has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 38 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Park Hill
Park Hill is a massive complex built in 1961. It has been undergoing refurbishment since 2009.
Netherthorpe complex
The Netherthorpe complex was built in 1962 in the district of Netherthorpe. It was refurbished in 1998.
Adamfield House
Adamfield House was built in 1962. This is the block closest to Brook Hill Roundabout and the Supertram Tunnel. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and aqua cladding. It is located at 1-95 Brightmore Drive. Adamfield has 14 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Cornhill House
Cornhill House was built in 1962. This is the block closest to the iconic Sheffield University Arts Tower, Sheffield's tallest building until the St Paul's Tower was topped out in 2010. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and aqua cladding. It is located at 99-193 Brightmore Drive. Cornhill has 14 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tall tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Robertshaw House
Robertshaw House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and dark blue cladding. Robertshaw has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 41 metre tall tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments The block was named after Jeremiah Robertshaw printer and bookbinder, originally there was a street named after him and his wife Sarah (Robertshaw Street and Sarah Street) before redevelopment of the area. Jeremiah Robertshaw can also be found on the original opening plaque at the Northern General Hospital Sheffield.
Crawshaw House
Crawshaw House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 1998, when it received the current white and dark blue cladding. It is located at 2-112 Mitchell Street. Crawshaw has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments.
Callow Mount complex
The Callow Mount complex was built in 1962 in Gleadless. It was refurbished between 2010 and 2011.
Callow House
Callow House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 2010, when it was reclad. It is located at 1-111 Callow Place. Callow has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments. Callow is home to the district heating system for the whole of the complex, and differs from the other towers in that it has three metal chimneys attached to its side.
Bankwood House
Bankwood House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 2010, when it was reclad. It is located at 1-95 Callow Mount. Bankwood has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Handbank House
Handbank House was built in 1962. It was refurbished between 2010 and 2011, when it was reclad. It is located at 98-192 Callow Mount. Handbank has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments. Apartments in Handbank are only available for "older" people to rent.
Pemberton House
Pemberton House was built in 1962. It was refurbished between 2010 and 2011, when it was reclad. It is located at 2-96 Callow Road. Pemberton has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Parkfield House
Parkfield House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 2011, when it was reclad. It is located at 1-95 Callow Drive. Parkfield has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Newfield House
Newfield House was built in 1962. It was refurbished in 2011, when it was reclad. It is located at 97-191 Callow Drive. Newfield has 13 floors, 12 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Lansdowne complex
The Lansdowne complex was built in 1964 in Highfield, half a mile from Bramall Lane Stadium and just outside the City Centre.
Gregory House
Gregory House was built in 1964. It was refurbished in 2007, when it received its current grey cladding. It is located at 121-239 Leverton Gardens. Gregory has 16 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 43 metre tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments.
Wiggen House
Wiggen House was built in 1964. It was refurbished in 2007, when it received its current grey cladding. It is located at 1-119 Leverton Drive. Wiggen has 16 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 43 metre tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments.
Keating House
Keating House was built in 1964. It was refurbished in 2007, when it received its current grey cladding. It is located at 1-119 Leverton Gardens. Keating has 16 floors, 14 of them residential; 56 apartments are located within the 43 metre tower, all of which are 2-bedroom apartments.
Stannington Deer Park complex
Stannington Deer Park complex was built in 1965 in the Stannington district of Sheffield, and consists of 3 towers.
Woodland House
Woodland House was built in 1965. It was refurbished in 1990, when it received its current red brick cladding. It is located at 2-174 Deer Park Close. Woodland has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments. Woodland differs from the other towers in that it is home to the district heating system for the whole complex, and has 3 red metal chimneys attached to the side.
Cliffe House
Cliffe House was built in 1965. It was refurbished in 1990, when it received its current red brick cladding. It is located at 1-173 Deer Park View. Cliffe has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Parkside House
Parkside House was built in 1965. It was refurbished in 1990, when it received its current red brick cladding. It is located at 1-173 Deer Park Road. Parkside has 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 48 apartments are located within the 41 metre tower, all of which are 1-bedroom apartments.
Hanover House
Hanover House was built in 1966 in the Broomhall district of Sheffield. It has 16 floors, 15 of them residential, and is located on Exeter Drive. It is 43 metres tall. Its cladding is exposed grey-brown concrete with bright yellow metal panes. However, it is currently being refurbished to hide these panes.
The Fosters (demolished)
The Fosters was built in 1966 in the High Green district of Sheffield. It has 10 floors, 9 of them residential, and is located on Foster Way. It is 38 metres tall. It was vacant and in a dilapidated state for a number of years, and was eventually demolished in 2012 following a decision by Sheffield City Council.
Jordanthorpe complex
The Jordanthorpe complex was built in 1967, and consisted of 3 towers. All have now been demolished.
Chantrey House (demolished)
Chantrey House was built in 1967. It was located on Dyche Drive. Chantrey had 15 floors, 14 of them residential. 48 apartments were located within the 41 metre tower, all of which were 1-bedroom apartments. Apartments in Chantrey were only available for "older" people to purchase. This block was demolished on 29 April 2012.
Ramsey House (demolished)
Ramsey House was built in 1967. It was located on Dyche Drive. Ramsey had 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 48 apartments were located within the 41 metre tower, all of which were 1-bedroom apartments. It was demolished in 2001.
Rhodes House (demolished)
Rhodes House was built in 1967. It was located on Dyche Close. Rhodes had 15 floors, 14 of them residential; 48 apartments were located within the 41 metre tower, all of which were 1-bedroom apartments. It was demolished in 2001.