Almshouses charity offer historic city building new lease of life
TRUST CONVERT SITE IN CONSERVATION AREA INTO OFFICES AND WORKSHOPS
A CITY almshouses charity with a legacy dating back nearly 500 years has completed a revamp on a derelict site on the outskirts of the centre of Derby.
The Liversage Trust, an affordable housing and assisted living service based in Derby, has transformed the redundant site on Alice Street into contemporary offices and workshops.
The site is situated in the Nottingham Road Conservation Area, one of 15 areas across Derby the City Council pay special attention to. This means the “character” and “appearance” of buildings must be in-line with the standards set by the architecture in the area.
The Liversage Trust has a diverse property portfolio comprising 163 houses, a 40-bed care home and an array of commercial units and properties across Derby. The charity’s flagship site is the historic Almshouses on London Road dating back to 1836, which stand opposite the new Nightingale development.
The Alice Street buildings are of the 1930s period and have a character typical of functional industrial buildings with solid brick flemish bond walls, steel industrial small-paned windows and slate-pitched roofs. The new offices housed on the site are now fully completed and have incorporated a mix of modern amenities and sustainable design elements.
Architect Matthew Montague said “The new offices will add great operational benefit to the Trust, enhance the future viability and prosperity of the conservation area and strengthen the trust’s portfolio. The project has gone well on site and we are delighted to hand over ahead of schedule.”
Andy Mellors, general manager of The Liversage Trust said: “We are delighted with the completed project, the new space meets the evolving needs of our organisation and reflects our commitment to historical preservation; all of which allow us to keep the heritage and work of The Trust progressing and moving forwards.”
Matthew Montague Architects has designed some of Derbyshire’s mostrecognisable buildings including Lonsdale House and the dining room at Repton Preparatory School. It is now helping to bring the University of Derby’s plan to life with a plan to redevelop the area between Agard Street and Nuns Street.