11 February 2008

Multi-million pound revamp for University's Arts Tower

Source: The Star, 6 February 2008

The University of Sheffield’s Arts Tower dominates the Sheffield city skyline and now it is going to have a £20 million revamp.

The comprehensive programme of refurbishment is due to start next autumn with the Tower reclad and radically improved internally.

But the exterior appearance of the Arts Tower will remain essentially the same - because it is grade II* listed for its architectural importance. The Tower’s renowned paternoster lift will also stay. The lift doesn't have doors that slide open once the car arrives at a particular floor - instead it has 38 cars which operate non-stop on a continuous loop.

The architects aim is to make the building more efficient – improving the heating and ventilation, reducing glare, easing congestion around the lifts and lecture theatres, improving disabled access and increasing the number of toilets.

English Heritage say the Arts Tower is "the most elegant university tower block in Britain of its period". It is a half-size copy of the famous Seagram Building in New York by the modernist master Mies van der Rohe.

The Tower will soon lose its status as the city's tallest building once the 32-storey St Paul's tower is complete next to the Winter Garden.