Urban Splash partners with Alumno for student accommodation in Phase 3 of Park Hill redevelopment

Local residents are invited to a public exhibition taking place in the Urban Splash sales office at Park Hill on Thursday 8 February between 1.30pm and 7.30pm, where attendees can learn more and comment on the plans. Further information will also be published at www.parkhillstudents.co.uk on 8 February.

Alumno is working alongside Whittam Cox Architects – the first design practice in the Sheffield City Region to play a key role in the transformation of Park Hill – to add bespoke student accommodation to the mix of commercial and residential developments currently underway at the Grade II-listed landmark blocks.

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

Park Hill is an iconic piece of architecture which is important not only for Sheffield but is also recognised internationally as a significant development and milestone in post war modernist design. Alumno will be undertaking a thorough refurbishment using new materials of excellent quality, whilst preserving the historic character of the building. This will add a distinct yet complementary neighbourhood to Park Hill that builds on the good work Urban Splash have already done in giving the building a new lease of life helping it, once again, to play a full and positive part in the local +community and economy.

Phase 3 follows Urban Splash’s successful completion of the first phase of redevelopment, which has seen the creation of 260 homes, 10 contemporary workspaces and the Grace Owen children’s nursery. Urban Splash received planning permission for Phase two in December, which includes another 200 homes, further workspace and landscaping.

David Campbell, managing director at Alumno commented: “This is a special project and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the regeneration of Park Hill. 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 Urban Splash, added: “Alumno have 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. We always intended to create a mixed community at Park Hill. With the first phase complete and fully occupied we now have 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. We look forward to students being a significant and positive part of that community.”

Nick Riley, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects said, “Park Hill is captivating and infectious; its original design has timeless value and integrity architecturally. Our responsibility is to interpret what is there and create a design response, which ensures a long-term future for both the fabric of this historically important asset, whilst also seeking to promote a sustainable and diverse community. Being part of the Park Hill story is a genuine privilege for us, especially as so many of our team and their families live in the City.”

Notes to editors

Alumno Developments is a property company which specialises in developing purpose-built student housing. It was established in 2006 and has projects across the UK’s major student towns and cities, which require careful management and work with local communities. This includes projects in Glasgow, St. Andrew’s, Birmingham, Norwich, Southwark (south London), Stratford (east London), Durham, Aberdeen and Leamington Spa.

For enquiries contact Sami Dodangeh on 020 7025 2326 or sami.dodangeh@lexcomm.co.uk

Alumno intends to submit a planning application in Spring 2018 after undertaking public consultation on their plans.

All local residents are invited to attend a public exhibition on Alumno’s proposals taking place in the Urban Splash sales office at Park Hill, South Street on Thursday 8 February between 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Address: 21 South Street, Park Hill, Sheffield, S2 5PN (next to main lift lobby). Information boards and members of the development team will be on hand to talk attendees through the plans and answer questions.