This building is absolutely stunning, the last time I took any notice of it was back in 2001 when I took photographs for my website.
Being able to see it with my drone has really revealed to me just how amazing it is. It was built in 1876 with additions in 1899. The words carved into the stonework on the front of the building say “Municipal Technical College” Its Grade II* listed and was built in the grounds of Abbott’s Hill House in 1876 by the Derby Corporation. The Gothic style with pronounced Arts and Crafts elements resulted from the collaboration of F. W. Waller (1846-1933) of Gloucester, a former student and principal Thomas Simmonds. In the 1990s It became part of the University of Derby and home to the 126 seat Metro Cinema showing more alternative, art house and foreign films. With the opening of the Derby Quad in 2007, the building has remained empty and decaying. As you can see (if you watch it on a big screen) there are several windows missing and damaged sections of the roof. I filmed this on 22nd March 2026.
I was asked by The Victorian Society to film it for this year’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list. You may well see my footage on the news later being discussed by Griff Rhys Jones (President of the The Victorian Society).
