'Brutalist building is beautiful... on the inside'

High Point in Bradford has been named Britain's best brutalist building by a national newspaper. But what is it actually like to live in?

Completed in 1972 at a time of IRA terror attacks, it was made to be bomb-proof - and to some its looks may have suffered as a result.

But love it or hate it, High Point on Westgate is undoubtedly a landmark which can be seen from all points of the compass on a clear day.

It looms over the city centre, a monolithic monument to an uncompromising architectural style.

To tenant Claire Worsnop it is simply home.

After living for more than 20 years in a terraced house, the 41-year-old moved into her sixth-floor apartment nine months ago.

"When I first came here for my viewing it was absolutely amazing," she says.

"I walked in the front door. I looked at my friend and she said 'you're going to be fine here'."

The mum of two grown-up children used to pass High Point every day on her bus into work at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

She said: "A lot of people do still comment and say 'what is it, is it apartments? Isn't it dark?'

"Once you're inside it's really surprising because the windows are from the ceiling to the floor.

"Some of us meet down here on a night after we've been to work... just come down to have a chat about our day, whatever.

"We have made a bit of a community, if you like, had some parties too in the lobby.

"It's a bit like living the dream in the City of Dreams... living my best life."

The building's slogan - City of Dreams - is spelled out in huge red neon letters on one side of the building.

It featured in the opening credits of the BBC crime drama Virdee which was set in the city.

There is also a gym, a communal roof terrace and a ground floor residents' lounge, as well as the 87 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments spread over eight floors.

Owner Adam Sims from Leeds-based Radii came up with the slogan, according to Kaith Tabaquero, marketing manager for Squarefoot Apartments.

"If you're in the city centre, in Centenary Square, you can see the City of Dreams logo which leads you all the way to the building. It's really nice."

The 27-year-old is originally from the Philippines where her mother has a flat in the capital Manila on the 46th floor of a high-rise apartment block.

She said: "I've lived in a capital city and it's busy, it's really different from Bradford.

"Here in Bradford it's relaxed."

High Point was designed by the John Brunton Partnership and was the headquarters of the Huddersfield and Bradford Building Society before it closed.

It remained shut for 25 years before it was converted into flats and reopened in May 2024.

Its renaissance was completed last week when The Telegraph named it as Britain's best brutalist building.

This was ahead of the Barbican in London, Bristol's Clifton Cathedral and Preston Bus Station.

Claire Marshall, 58, is head of residential for Squarefoot Apartments and grew up in Bradford herself.

She said: "The outside is very much a Marmite... in that a lot of the local community either love the outside or don't, but get a shock when they come inside.

"I think it's an unusual building. I wouldn't say that I think it's the prettiest building from the outside, but I don't think it's ugly.

"But I love the inside. If it makes sense, the inside makes the outside better."

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