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University tower and record-breaking lift turn 60

Naj Modakand
Lulu Johnston-Knight,Yorkshire
University of Sheffield Aerial view of a city skyline with a tall, rectangular glass office tower in the centre, surrounded by roads, smaller buildings, and residential housing. There is a partly cloudy sky in the background, with sunlight breaking through over distant hills.University of Sheffield
The 78m (256ft) tall Arts Tower, at the University of Sheffield, was officially opened in June 1966

A landmark university building and its record-breaking lift are celebrating six decades of use.

The 78m (256ft) tall Arts Tower, at the University of Sheffield, was officially opened by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in June 1966, and is home to one of just a handful of paternoster lifts still working in the UK.

Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest paternoster elevator, the 38 carriage lift runs on a continuous cycle, with passengers stepping on and off as it moves to access the Grade II listed tower's 19 floors.

Estates and facilities management, James Merryclough, said the lift was a "core part" of the university's "experience" and a "highlight" for visitors.

However, the lift has not always been reliable he said, recalling a time when a former professor got stuck on the way to a tea party, leaving him only visible from the neck upwards.

"The Vice Chancellor of the time actually served him tea through the gap in the Paternoster," he said.

The paternoster lift at the University of Sheffield (filmed in 2017)

The lift is often seen as a "rite of passage" for students.

Chemistry student, Sophie Watson, 21, said: "I'm a big fan of the Paternoster.

"Whenever my friends come to visit, I always make them go all the way around."

Sophie Watson wearing a sleeveless top and jeans stands on a paved area outside a modern office building with large glass windows and a concrete façade, with steps and the building entrance visible in the background under bright sunlight.
The paternoster is often seen as a "rite of passage" for students, Sophie Watson said

Print technician, John Allred, 41, recalled seeing the lift for the first time when attending a job interview at the university.

"When I came and saw them [the lift carriages] I was a bit like, 'whoa, how do these work?'"

He added he thought the feature was "really unique" and gave the building "character".

John Allred standing beside a lift in a modern interior with marble walls. He is wearing a graphic T-shirt and backpack, while another person stands near the lift controls with their back turned. Red safety signage and wall-mounted displays are visible next to the lift.
John Allred said he thought the feature gave the building "character"

The popular lift remains an enduring symbol of the Arts Tower, despite renovation work to modernise the campus.

Merryclough said the building also opened with fountains and a moat, however a wind tunnel effect at the entrance meant people "got soaked" on arrival.

Sixty years after opening, the Arts Tower remains a hub for teaching, creativity and collaboration, housing the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, professional services teams and the newly opened John's Van café.

It also remains the tallest building on the university, and is believed to be the UK's tallest academic building.

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