page_title: Arts Tower
section_title: Architecture
hierarchical_section_title: Arts Tower / Architecture
caption_attribution_description: English: Paternoster lift in the Arts Tower, University of Sheffield. Top floor.
context_page_description: The Arts Tower is a building at 12 Bolsover Street in Sheffield, England belonging to the University of Sheffield and opened in 1966. English Heritage has called it "the most elegant university tower block in Britain of its period". At 78 m tall, it is the second tallest building in the city, after the 101 m, St Paul's Tower on Arundel Gate, which was topped out in 2009.
context_section_description: Designed by architects Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners, construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years. Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the design was directly inspired by the similar, but much larger, Seagram Building in New York City, similarly to the popularly believed, though unsubstantiated, theory regarding the CIS Tower and New Century House in Manchester, England - although the similarity of aesthetics between the four buildings is undeniable. When asked about the possible inspiration of Mies van der Rohe's buildings in the United States, GMW project architect Robert Smith explained instead that the form of the building came from the surrounding context.
  Entry to the building was originally made by a wide 'bridge' between fountains over a shallow pool area in front of the building. This pool was eventually drained and covered over when it was found that strong down drafts of wind hitting the building on gusty days caused the fountain to soak people entering and exiting the building.
   
  Circulation is through two ordinary lifts and a paternoster lift which, at 38 cars, is the largest of the few surviving in the United Kingdom.
  A bridge at the mezzanine level links the tower to Western Bank Library. This building was also designed by Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners—the two buildings are intended to be viewed together. The Arts Tower and Library are Grade II* listed buildings. 
  The buildings can be visited during office hours, although visitors may have to sign a register and show identification.
caption: Paternoster lift
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