Bradford building named best Brutalist structure in UK
High Point - perhaps one of the more divisive buildings in Bradford - used to be the headquarters of the Yorkshire Building Society.
HIGH Point, Bradford’s most divisive structure, has been crowned best Brutalist building in the country.
National newspaper The Telegraph named the high rise building off Westgate as top of the brutalist buildings – a list that also includes the Barbican, Clifton Cathedral and Preston Bus Station.
The monolithic building was designed by the John Brunton Partnership and completed in 1972 as the headquarters of the Yorkshire Building Society.
It became vacant in the 90s, and was seen as an example of Bradford’s decline.
After standing empty for 25 years it was recently converted into 87 flats as part of a £12m regeneration scheme.
Run by estate agent Squarefoot and part of the Radii living brand, the building is now fully occupied.
The building was featured prominently in Bradford based crime drama Virdee.
Referring to High Point as the cream of the brutalist crop, the Telegraph says: “Looming over the Yorkshire ‘milltropolis’ of Bradford, this building looks completely out of place, like something from Blade Runner, and yet in a weird way it also blends in with the buttery Victorian edifices below built on wool money.
“John Brunton Partnership’s Yorkshire Building Society HQ from 1972 came at a time when Yorkshire’s regional finance industry was thriving, but when that failed it too fell into disrepair.
“Like its home city it is now on the up again – restored and reused, this time as flats. It’s a sage lesson in how to repurpose rather than demolish brutalist beasts.”
Mani Waheed, Managing Director at Squarefoot, said: “High Point is an extraordinary building and its recognition as Britain’s number one Brutalist building is a proud moment for Bradford. What was once an empty tower has been brought back to life as a vibrant residential community in the heart of the city.
“The building now attracts residents from across the UK and internationally, reflecting the diversity and dynamism that defines modern Bradford. It has been incredibly rewarding to welcome residents into such a distinctive space and see a real community develop here.”
Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: “It’s always nice to see Bradford’s architecture in the national spotlight, even though High Point remains one of the city’s most divisive buildings.
“Whatever people think of it, the building is symbolic of Bradford’s confidence and prosperity, and it’s certainly become a well-known landmark.
“High Point has attracted a lot of new fans in recent years, and it’s nice to see it enjoying a new lease of life as apartments.
“The Telegraph, or any other national newspaper, are always welcome to come and showcase Bradford’s remarkable architectural heritage.”