This iconic red brick building opened in 1978 as the Phoenix, a student's union for what was then known as the Sheffield City Polytechnic. It became the Nelson Mandela Building in 1982 in tribute to the anti-apartheid campaigner.
Mark Albrow recalls seeing The Human League in peak form (complete with Adrian's slide show of Thunderbirds and other stuff) just after they had been touted as the sound of the future by Bowie, who gave them his phone number. They used to finish their sets with a very powerful version of the Walker Brothers 'You've lost that Loving feeling' with Martyn Ware and Phil Oakey".
Pre gig drinking often took place at the Howard Hotel for bands and fans alike. One of the first bands to have played there was The Jam and the venue was a key stop on national tours for many bands including BMX Bandits, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dead Kennedys, Rezillos, The Damned, Faith No More, Depeche Mode, King Kurt, Lena Lovich, Magazine, Oasis, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Simple Minds, The Cure (Faith Tour), Southern Death Cult, Theatre of Hate.
The building was sold to the regional agency Yorkshire Forward who demolished it with a view to building a hotel and offices, however the development is currently on hold. Sheffield Hallam University's Student Union moved nearby in to 'The Hubs' - this building had previously been the National Centre for Popular Music. Sheffield bands often had support slots and the venue also hosted benefit gigs and presented local bands at events such as Sheffield Sound.