Historic 27-28 Queen Street Building Granted Grade II Listed Status

The agent representing the owners of a disused historical building, recently granted Grade II listed status, has stated that it “deserved to be celebrated and protected”. The house, located at 27-28 Queen Street, dates back hundreds of years and served as the residence for influential science and arts figures of the 17th and 18th centuries, including the artist Joseph Wright. The Derby Civic Society submitted an application for its listed status, which Historic England confirmed was approved on November 14. Rigby & Co, the agent for a London property developer that owns the building, reported that the owners were not surprised by its new listed status and were exploring ideas to enhance and refurbish the structure. The house was previously inhabited by John Flamsteed, who, according to the civic society, created Greenwich Mean Time inside the building. It also served as the home of clockmaker and scientist John Whitehurst. Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby & Co and agent for the Dewinter family, commented: “The owners are not surprised Historic England have listed the building at the front of the site. It has a tremendously rich history. “It is a building that does deserve to be celebrated and protected.”” Regarding plans announced earlier this year to develop land at the rear of the building, he indicated that they were “starting to gather some pace”. The owners entered a joint venture with an unnamed Derby-based property company to develop this land. Mr. Rigby stated that, subject to planning approval—for which an application has not yet been submitted—they intend to construct a mixture of residential accommodation, potentially geared towards student housing, along with possible commercial space. Meanwhile, he noted that the landowners were also considering various ideas to enhance and refurbish the building. He said: “Clearly, any reuse will have to respect the newly-found listed status.” He added: “So the fact that the building is now listed absolutely accords with the sentiment of how the building should be looked after going forward, and brought back into use. “Developments at the back of the site will obviously provide some economic funding that can be invested in the front building.”” A Historic England spokesperson commented on the new listed status, stating: “The building has particular historic interest as the home of influential science and arts figures of the 17th and 18th centuries, including John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, John Whitehurst, a founding member of the Lunar Society of Birmingham and the internationally-renowned artist Joseph Wright of Derby.”It is a building that has borne witness to the lives and work of individuals of national and international importance.”” Ashley Waterhouse, chairman of the civic society, remarked: “I would say this property is single-handedly the most important building in local and international history.”” This most recent application for Grade II listed status was the fifth to be submitted and the third attempt by the civic society. He commented: “It’s an enormous achievement to see a building of historic significance protected and preserved. It’s not going to be left to rack and ruin, hopefully.””