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.
13. Down they go
The Norfolk Park tower blocks Howard, Fitzalan and Granville are erased from Sheffield's skyline in a series of controlled explosions in 1999 Photo: Andrew Partridge
14. Look what I've done!
Former Rotherham firefighter Steve Maycock after pusing the plunger to demolish the Gilford and Shrewsbury tower blocks on Sheffield's Norfolk Park estate in 1999 Photo: Steve Ellis
15. Huge dust clouds
The Gilford and Shrewsbury tower blocks on Sheffield's Norfolk Park estate are demolished in 1999 Photo: Steve Ellis
16. Surveying the ruins
Holly Bennett stands amid the remains of the demolished tower blocks at Sheffield's Norfolk Park estate Photo: Mike Ford