In the light of recent comments about this place I would like to dismiss this 'them and us' situation someone mentioned.

The flats are all rental, none are for sale, and they are cheaper than equivalent places in town. As a result there is a real mix of people living there and there is a real community feel, parties meetings with new neighbours etc. No-one living there is particularly 'well off' as has been suggested, just ordinary people living in a very very nice place, some have moved from other tower blocks in Sheffield. So now that is laid to rest I think I should defend the place as it has been called an eyesore.
The block which people are reffering to is a tower in the stables which was built using modern materials to best match the old tower which collapsed due to age, now are you suggesting that should never have been rebuilt?? The developer is often found at the site and visits the parties with his wife, he loves this place and has spent years working on it and takes it all very personally. He loves sheffield, and is keen to save and restore places just like this.
All I can say to anyone with a grudge, is come and take a look, I will show you round and you can meet the people who live here, we are as much a part of the community as anyone else and I for one do all my shopping at Singhs!

I go past there every day on the tram and I think it looks great, much better than the boring "cardboard box" styles of the city centre.

Hi Ninjajaja, I believe it will be my 'them and us' comment you refer to and I apologise if I caused offence. It wasn't meant that way. :)

I think on how the redevolpment looks from the outside will always be up for debate. I am only referring to the view from up near the Park Grange tram stop, the grey wall that maybe looks a little unfinished thats all. I have seen a little from down by the gates yet have never dared venture inside as I was unaware as to wether you would need a keyfob or pass or something. It does from what I can see look lovely in there, that I am not desputing at all. It will become a lovely community I can see that, I was just hoping that it does like you say and not become where we who rent the new build properties are looked down upon. I suppose I'm just quite fiercly protective of this estate, have lived here since being 5 and took over the house my nan lived in since it was built. It was knocked down 3 years or so back and I now rent one of the newbuild like I said.

I mean, on the other side of the coin I have to say all these houses look a bit strange don't they? I am in a two bedroom so it doesn't seem to stick out but the slanted roofs on some of them look quite bonkers so it works both ways this 'looks' thing LOL!:D

I am looking forward to this thread hopefully taking off as I have always had a kind of awestruck feeling for the Queens Tower. I used to look at it in amazement yet held back as I presumed it was private property. Oh and I saw the guard dogs!!:o :D We used to hear the ghost stories at school through various classmates and the hair on the back of my neck always rose when I walked past!
I would love to hear of its goings on, who used to/does own it, what it used to be exactly (squash club ???, residence???) and all of the latest as to its redevelopment. :)

We also shop at gage's (sp?) (sinhgs) He's had many a shop on that row *reminisces of years gone by* and is picking up again now trade wise though he may be moving on. Hopefully not for a long while yet, He practically IS Norfolk Park!:D

Anyway, apologies for any offence caused :)

There's no doubting that the setting of the historic main buildings has been spoilt for good, but it's good to see it finally in use. I remember going there often in the mid-late 80s when I knew the people who lived there. It never has been viable as a private house with the tower block directly behind, but now that has gone, maybe it would have become desirable once more. Maybe I will get to live in the place after all!

I had a private look-around with the owner/developer just before completion. I was highly impressed with the development of the listed buildings, which I felt had been sympathetically restored. The flats appeared to be of a high standard.

On the deficit side, the perimeter railings give the impression of a gated community, which partially cuts it off from the rest of Norfolk Park. The rear of the new block looks a little unfinished, and appears harsh in appearance.

However, overall, I am delighted that the Queens Tower has been restored, and that ninjajaja and other residents are settling in. Welcome to Norfolk Park.

PS Hope you didn't get too dusty last Sunday after the blow-down of the Grange tower block?

I must say, now the tower block is down the back of the new block does look a bit bland. I would imagine with all the effort the developer has put in making bthe place look nice he will be doing something about that..trees maybe. He has spent (reputedly) abround £50k on plants, trees, flowers and turf and even put some nice bay trees and lavender and stuff in our garden (more for the missus than me really).

If anyone ever wants to take a look around, or even rent one (they are cheaper than most) I would be happy to give them a tour.

P.S What ghost???I've just moved out of somewhere with a ghost and did'nt really want another one.

I remember Queens Towers when my dad worked there, it was owned by an engineering firm, in the 1970s! It was great we used to go down on the weekend and pick wild blackberries. It was a great rambling old place, that my sisters and I had great hide and seek games in.