We reported recently that Citizen Housing are planning to demolish most of the remaining blocks of flats in Hillfields. We noted that we will be losing the iconic winged roofs of the blocks.
But as well as the buildings themselves, we will also be losing the names of the blocks, some of which are historically significant.
In this article we list the names of all of the Hillfields blocks and note their historical context.
The names appear to fall into three categories:
- Names that reflect the post-war years of regrowth and optimism.
- Names from Coventry’s civic history, including former mayors, aldermen and councillors.
- Names relating to local people and places of importance in the local area.
The Vibe of the Time
Phoenix House (demolished)
The name reflects the vision of Coventry as a city arising from the ashes of war. The phoenix was adopted as an emblem of the city and added to its coat of arms in 1959, around the time that the Hillfields blocks were being planned.
Pioneer House (remaining)
It seems that Pioneer House was named as a general tribute to the spirit of innovation, progress, and local working-class industrial pioneering, looking forward to a modern future.
Unity House (demolished)
In 1955 the Council of Europe designated Coventry as the city most espousing the European ideal. In 1959 the Council decided to commemorate this honour by designating one of its remodelled streets as Unity Way. It appears that this did not happen but a block of flats was given the name instead.
The Coventry Civic Dignitaries
Michel House (demolished)
Michel House is believed to have been named after Nicholas Michel, Mayor of the city in 1356, 1362 and 1368.
Thomas King House (remaining)
It is believed that this block was named after Thomas King, who was Mayor of the city in 1670 and 1691.
Joseph Halpin House (demolished)
This block was named after Joseph Robert Halpin, a city councillor from 1909-1935.
Pearl Hyde House (demolished)
Pearl Hyde House was named after Cllr. Mrs Pearl Hyde (1904 – 1963). She was the first female Lord Mayor of Coventry during 1957/58.
She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services during the Coventry Blitz of 1940 and received a diploma from Charles De Gaulle in 1949 for her war work. In 1948 she was invited to a tea party held at St. James’s Palace by the Queen Mother, in honour of her wartime work. She recognised Hyde from a visit to Coventry in November 1940, and said ‘I remember your delightful cup of tea.
There is a school in Walsgrave named after her.
The Local Places and Celebrities
Perhaps the most significant names attached to the Hillfields blocks were those of locally important people.
Stevens House (demolished)
Stevens House was named after Thomas Stevens (1828–1888) who was famous for the creation of the Stevengraph woven pictures. These were created in his factory in Cox Street, Hillfields. The factory was bombed during the War and never re-opened.
Selina Dix House (demolished)
Selina Dix was the Head Teacher of South Street and Wheatley Street Girls schools and famous for her work for children and women’s rights. She received the MBE in 1918 in recognition of her labours in the cause of education and for the welfare of women and children, particularly during the war and, although she was not a suffragette, she was a strong proponent of the right of women to the vote.
Paul Stacey House (scheduled for demolition)
Paul Stacey House was named after Revd. Paul Stacy (1870 – 1960), the Rector of St. Peter’s Church, who was a famous Christian Socialist and philanthropist. It is not clear why the spelling was changed.
Hillfields House (scheduled for demolition)
This block was named simply after the district it was located in.
Douglas House (scheduled for demolition)
This block was named after Douglas Square. This was a square of Victorian buildings, off Cross Street in Hillfields. It is in the approximate location of the new block which was clearly named after it. We don’t know the origin of the name of the square, but it might have been the owner or developer.
The Coventry Society is always supportive of recycling initiatives, so perhaps we need a campaign to find places to receive the lost names of the Hillfields blocks, in particular Thomas Stevens, Paul Stacy and Selina Dix.
The City Council doesn’t build many buildings these days, so perhaps we need to encourage other developers to pick up these names.