Originally a school, the site was purchased from the Sheffield School Board by industrialist Mark Firth in 1875 for £2,750 with hopes of transforming it into a high-level university. After spending over £20,000 of his own money on the construction, the higher education boy’s grammar school was officially opened on the 18th of October 1879. Named after Prince Leopold, the Duke of Albany officially opened the school while in the area visiting John Ruskin, his former Oxford lecturer.
Over the next two decades, the school combined with the Sheffield Medical School and the Sheffield Technical School, expanding onto Bow Street. In 1905, it was granted a royal charter, becoming the University of Sheffield and moving away from the area.
In 1971 this historical landmark was facing a potential demolition but was granted Grade II status the following year.
Step back in time
Over half a century later, the architectural gem was renovated and transformed into the Leopold Hotel Sheffield, with the first guests welcomed in 2007. Luckily the renovation did not strip the building of its past and instead adopted the cultural heritage of the area with its own modern twist, making it one of the most luxurious hotels in Sheffield.
The original staircases are still present on the north and south sides along with the beautiful oak panelling in the Oak Suite. In the Faraday Suite, there hangs an original photo of The Education Board of 1879 which was discovered hidden under the floorboards during construction.
In a city well-known for its rich history, the Leopold Hotel Sheffield stands tall in its centre, orbited by a host of historical attractions within walking distance. Surrounding the award-winning hotel in Leopold Square you can find some of the best restaurants and bars in the city.
Just a one-minute walk from the steps of the front door lies the Sheffield City Hall, an elegant neoclassical building that hosts a variety of concerts and comedy shows. For a more in-depth look into the history of Sheffield visit the Millennium Gallery or take a trip to Kelham Island, the once-industrial centre of the city that is now a vibrant neighbourhood on the River Don.
Standing tall in the heart of the city centre, the Leopold Hotel Sheffield is not just surrounded by incredible historical landmarks, but it is in itself, a luxurious gateway into the city’s past.