About Us
Built on Tradition, Evolving for You
W. Redmile & Sons Limited is such a well known company locally that it has always been known as 'W. Redmiles' or just 'Redmiles'. Recently the name 'Redmile Homes' has increasingly been used by customers and as we now only concentrate on new homes, its adoption is an obvious move, especially as more and more customers use the internet to locate companies and properties.
Whatever name you use to discover the company, you will find that we still build good quality and well designed homes for you to really live in, including those features which so many companies charge for as 'extras' and giving the standard of customer service expected from a long-established family business. Still family owned since 1933, whether you know us as W. Redmile & Sons Limited, W. Redmiles, Redmiles or Redmile Homes, we are still building individual homes just for you!
Our History
This page is a summarised account of the Redmile history, please click here to view the full document.
A Hopeful Beginning
Our founder, William Redmile, was born in Bulwell in 1882 to joiner George Redmile and his wife Betsy. His father led the family to Sheffield shortly after, during the industrial boom for steel and cutlery that saw immediate demand for building work, ripe with opportunities for a joiner.
George was involved with numerous projects locally, likely including the pagoda-style roof of the Locarno on London Road, a structure that still stands today. All his sons, including William, followed in his footsteps to enter the building trade.
In 1911, William married Annie Fox, and they had two sons, Bill and Curtis, who would later encourage him to establish W. Redmile and Sons in June 1933 and join him after their apprenticeship with their Grandfather George, enjoying a few smooth years growing the new business.
Wartime
Unfortunately, this period was short-lived, as the coming of the Second World War was not only a shock to the nation but potentially ruinous to the business.
The first bomb fell in Sheffield on the night of August 18th 1940 and the last fell on July 28th 1942, with the two worst nights being 12th and 15th December 1940 when much of the centre of Sheffield was obliterated.
Over the course of these 2 years, over 40,000 people were made homeless, 3,000 homes were demolished, another 3,000 were severely damaged, and 72,000 properties suffered some damage.
During this time, the company was heavily involved in repairing damage, including aiding in airfield construction nearby and keeping infrastructure running.
Rebuilding Sheffield
Post-war, W. Redmile & Sons played a crucial role in addressing Sheffield's housing shortage by building homes for Sheffield City Council at Parson Cross and The Manor.
In November 1946, Redmile became a Limited Company and was involved in abundant contract work throughout the late 1940s to early 1970s.
The company was involved in building council houses, schools, extending hospitals, and constructing or expanding industrial, commercial, and banking premises in Sheffield and North Derbyshire. Among its notable projects was the construction of Abbeydale Boys Grammar School in 1958, one of many major works completed.
A New Era
Recognizing the fluctuating nature of contract work, the company began seeking land to build and sell houses for a more stable venture before 1950.
Land was acquired in Gleadless, and Curtis took a gamble of buying land in Dronfield, which at the time of limited car ownership seemed a long way from Sheffield. The company eventually built thousands of houses on the Holmesdale and Hallowes Estates despite this.
Additional housing projects were undertaken in Birdwell, Stannington, Woodhouse, Killamarsh, Chesterfield, Baslow, Brook Meadows, and Mosborough.
The Rest is History
Each of the family members was heavily involved in the business, and when William Redmile passed away in 1961, his sons and each generation thereafter contributed to the evolution and success of what had become a prominent local company.
During the 1980s, the radical changes to trading conditions caused Redmile to shift its focus to housing operations alone, setting the path for Redmile Homes to where it is today.
Value for money and a home to be proud of.