[1] The Gardens were originally intended to be replaced by an extension to the Town Hall, but due to the Second World War, this was never built.

Water features and a central fountain were introduced, with the channels representing the rivers of Sheffield.

The "topping out ceremony" was carried out by Prince Charles, and a plaque on Pinstone Street was unveiled to mark this event.

The Peace Gardens were substantially completed by the end of 1998, then the Sheffield Millennium Galleries works commenced and the old egg-box council offices were then demolished.

[2] The measures had previously been located by a wall alongside St Paul's Parade, just outside the Peace Gardens.