Built between 1957 and 1961, the ‘streets in the sky’ approach of the massive Park Hill complex was initially successful. Neighbours were moved from tenements and rundown terraces to live next to each other in what were seen initially as model developments, with a masterplan led by the neo-Corbusian visions of city architect John Lewis Womersley and designs by architect Ivor Smith. But poor maintenance, security and social issues came to plague the estate, which was saved from demolition by being listed in 1998. A part-privatisation is now funding the renovation and conversion to smart apartments with some social housing, business units and a revitalised public
realm. The project made the Stirling Prize shortlist in 2013 for their first phase refurbishment. A full go-ahead for Phase 2 is still awaited.
Architect: Hawkins\Brown and Studio Egret West
Client: Urban Splash
