Buildings and structures in Sheffield
The Buildings and structures in Sheffield were constructed over a time-span ranging from the 13th century to the present day. However, the majority of Sheffield's older buildings were built during the Industrial Revolution. Many of Sheffield's mediaeval buildings were demolished in the 19th century, and some older buildings were also lost during the Sheffield Blitz. Sheffield has only five Grade I listed buildings, two of which are in the city centre.
The oldest structure is Beauchief Abbey which is now a ruin. The oldest complete structure is Sheffield Cathedral. The 78 metre Arts Tower is the tallest buiding in the city.
History
Pre 19th century
At the time of the Norman Conquest Sheffield was a small hamlet. It was dominated by a wooden long house occupided by the lord of Hallam, subsequently the site for the 2 castles.
The Domesday Book, which William the Conqueror ordered written so that the value of the townships and manors of England could be assessed, mentions :-
- LANDS OF ROGER DE BUSLI
- In Hallam, one manor with its sixteen hamlets, there are twenty-nine carucates [~14 km²] to be taxed. There Earl Waltheof had an "Aula" [hall or court]....
In the 12th century this was replaced with a wooden motte and bailey castle. Beauchief Abbey was built 4 miles south-west of what was now a well established town. When the castle was destroyed in 1260 it was replaced with a stone castle, which would stand until the English Civil War.
Sheffield's second parish church was built in 1280, replacing the previous 11th century structure. This was replaced in 1430 with the core of the current structure. Lady's Bridge, the oldest in the city was built in 1485. The oldest domestic buildings were built at the turn of the 16th century Old Queen's Head pub (1495), Broom Hall (1498), and Bishops' House (c 1500).
Sheffield Manor was built in 1510 as an alternative residence for the Earl of Shrewsbury. The manor was to later become famous when Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned there. Sheffield Castle was largly destroyed during the civil war. The manor was also largly demolished in 1706.
Industrial Revolution
A large number of industrial buildings were built during the 18th and 19th centuries. Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is now a grade I listed building and is used as a museum. Other museums in buildings from the same period are Kelham Island Museum and Shepherd Wheel.
20th century
The turn of the 20th century saw a huge amount of residential building which lead to the annexing of large parts of the current city. However, this was followed by a slump and by 1917 house building had ceased altogether. Building of the city hall started in 1920.
The years following the Second World War saw one of the most intense periods of building in the city's history, referred to as the Slum Clearances. Slum housing was replaced with a number of large tower blocks, many of which have since been demolished and replaced with housing once more.
Current developments
The £130 million Heart of the City scheme is centred around the location of the former town hall extension. It includes a hotel, offices, the Winter Gardens, Millennium Galleries and Millennium Square. The 101m St Pauls Tower, due to start construction in Summer 2006, will become Sheffield's tallest building.
The £50 million Sheffield Station Gateway scheme has seen improvements in station facilities and the creation of a public space outside with a large sculpture called Cutting Edge. Other improvements leading up to the Peace Gardens will create a pedestrian link to the city centre.
Future developments
The largest scheme due to start is the New Retail Quarter, starting in 2007. The £400 million scheme will create new retail units and pedestrianise the area between Pinstone Street, Leopold Square, Charter Square and the Devonshire Quarter. Charter Square will also be pedestrianised. The £315 million West Bar scheme includes new university buildings, a boutique hotel, residential and commercial developments.
References
J. Edward Vickers, 1987, A Popular History of Sheffield, The Amethyst Press, ISBN 0-906787-04-1 Mary Walton, 1984, Sheffield its Story and its Achievements, Applebaum Bookshop Ltd., ISBN 0-904293-19-X
