Urban Splash and Alumno team up to redevelop iconic Sheffield housing estate

Regeneration specialist Urban Splash has joined forces with student accommodation developer, Alumno Developments, to create accommodation for around 350 students, as well as various new shops and facilities.

The transformation of the Park Hill Estate in Sheffield – now in its third phase – will attempt to breathe new life into an area that has long experienced neglect. Something of an architectural landmark when it was first built, years of decline and underinvestment left the giant concrete housing estate in a state of disrepair.

In 1998 it was awarded Grade II* listed status by English Heritage to help preserve it for future generations, in turn making it Europe’s largest listed structure. In recent years a number of designers and developers have taken on the project of regenerating the iconic piece of architecture.

Recognised internationally as a significant development and milestone in post-war modernist design, Park Hill will now undergo a comprehensive refurbishment using new, high-quality materials, ‘whilst preserving the historic character of the building’.

Phase 3 of the regeneration works follows on from Urban Splash’s successful completion of the first phase of redevelopment, which saw the creation of 260 homes, 10 contemporary workspaces and the Grace Owen children’s nursery. Planning permission for Phase 2 was received by Urban Splash in December. This phase will include the creation of another 200 homes, further workspace and landscaping.

The Urban Splash sales office (located at Park Hill) will play host to a public exhibition for local residents, taking place on Thursday 8 February (between 1.30pm and 7.30pm), with attendees given the chance to comment on the proposals and learn more about the next phase. On the same day further information will also be published at www.parkhillstudents.co.uk.

Working alongside Whittam Cox Architects, Alumno will look to add bespoke student accommodation to the mix of commercial and residential developments currently underway at the landmark blocks.

The partnership plans to deliver approximately 350 student bedrooms for occupation in time for the start of the 2020/21 academic year. The initial proposals are set to be designed around groups of four and eight bedrooms, with shared living space in an innovative three-storey ‘townhouse’ model.

“This is a special project and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the regeneration of Park Hill,” said David Campbell, managing director at Alumno. “The Estate has an amazing historical structure and importance for Sheffield, and we would like to make a positive contribution to its vibrancy and future life. The views of the community are important so we are looking forward to hearing what people think.”

Mark Latham, regeneration director at Urban Splash, added: “Alumno has an impressive track record of delivering really distinctive design-led student projects around the country, often in listed buildings, which is why they are such a great partner to join the Park Hill team to create accommodation that will attract students in Sheffield.”

Latham said the plan was always to create a mixed community at Park Hill, with the first phase of the development inhabited by hundreds of people from mixed backgrounds and all ages, living and working at Park Hill.

“We are so pleased to see a mutual respect and support reflected in the events and activities they create together with other residents in the area,” he said. “We look forward to students being a significant and positive part of that community.”