Crowds gathered to watch the high-rise buildings brought crashing down in a series of controlled explosions during the late 90s and early 2000s. These retro photos show the towers and life on the estate, including children playing and a visit by then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson, from their construction in the 1960s to their demolition some four decades later.
All the photos featured are from The Star’s archives or courtesy of Picture Sheffield.
![Sheffield's Norfolk Park tower blocks from their construction in the 1960s to their demolition some four decades later](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdhMWVkOTllLTg3MDgtNGM0Mi1hNDkwLWZiYzNjMmE2OTZiNzo2ZGJiMzkyOC1jZmViLTRlZTAtODYwMi1hNjI5NGRhNTIyMTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Changing skyline
Sheffield's Norfolk Park tower blocks from their construction in the 1960s to their demolition some four decades later Photo: National World/Picture Sheffield
![The Norfolk Park flats in Sheffield under construction in July 1964](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZlM2MyZDcyLTE4ZDAtNDcwNy1hNjUwLWZjMDliMTE5ZjA3NTplOWE0MmM2Yy1iZjA3LTQyY2QtYWFkYy1jOGIxODI1YTUwN2U=.png?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Taking shape
The Norfolk Park flats in Sheffield under construction in July 1964 Photo: Picture Sheffield
![Footbridge over the Jervis Lum Woodland, in Norfolk Park, Sheffield, showing the construction of the Norfolk Park flats](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE2ZjI0YjE1LWYxZTQtNDZhNS04OWI3LWJiMzU0NzNjZDkzZTpmNjNiMzAwZi1hYmI2LTQ1ZmYtYjhkOC0wNDYwODBlYWI5N2M=.png?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Construction
Footbridge over the Jervis Lum Woodland, in Norfolk Park, Sheffield, showing the construction of the Norfolk Park flats Photo: Picture Sheffield
![Richard Crossman MP, Minister for Housing (second left), visiting the Norfolk Park flats in Sheffield in March 1965](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRkY2I4YWYzLWQ2NzMtNDAxZi05OWNhLTNmMmM0NWFkNjQyYToyZWYxODM2OC03ZTA3LTQ0NTItYjQ5OC1hODc0N2Y5YmYxYjg=.png?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Ministerial visit
Richard Crossman MP, Minister for Housing (second left), visiting the Norfolk Park flats in Sheffield in March 1965 Photo: Picture Sheffield