April 2021

Sharing the news with you that despite a well publicised campaign led by Robert Evans of Matlock based Evans Vettori Architects, on April 16th, Derby City Council gave approval for demolition of Casson, Conder & Partners’ Derby Assembly Rooms. The 44 year old building was damaged by fire seven years ago and only the multi-storey car park remains active today.

Martine photographed it in 2010 for the RIBA as part of their book Fifty50, celebrating 50 years of architecture and design in the East Midlands. There are mixed views in Derby about this building and its’ current visual and cultural value for the city. The Twentieth Century Society is working hard to protect significant Brutalist sites across the UK which are at risk of being lost. The local debate is whether this particular site is worthy of the highest levels of protection or not.