The former Derby School of Art on Green Lane is a Grade II* listed Victorian building that has recently been named one of the UK's most endangered buildings by the Victorian Society.
Originally completed in 1876 as Municipal Technical College, the striking Gothic-style structure was constructed using distinctive pink granite from Matlock.
Over its 150-year history, the building has served various prominent roles in Derby's cultural and educational life.
It operated under several names, including the Derby Central School of Art and the Derby Municipal Technical College, before eventually becoming an annexe for the University of Derby. It was famously home of the Metro Cinema from 1981 to 2006, an independent arthouse venue that later moved to Quad in the city centre. Following a period of vacancy, it reopened in 2012 as a rehearsal space for Derby Theatre. In 2021 it was sold to New Vision University, based in Georgia, with proposals to establish a medical school. However, the building appears never to have been brought back into active use.
As a result, this Grade II* listed building now stands empty once again, with no clear timetable for its reuse. Its continued vacancy places it at risk of deterioration and represents a significant missed opportunity for the city.
The Victorian Society is calling for urgent clarity on the building’s future. As a prominent and adaptable structure with a strong civic identity, it has clear potential to serve a new purpose. What is needed now is a realistic and deliverable plan to bring it back into use before further decline sets in.
The top ten list of the Victorian Society's endangered buildings can be found here: https://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/endangered-buildings/
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