THE former Derby Grammar School, which was on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register, has been restored with private cash.
Architect Brownhill Hayward Brown completed work on St Helen's House, a grade one listed building, in a major £1.3 million project after being appointed by developer Richard Blunt in 2008.
Mr Blunt had hoped to raise the funds for the restoration from a residential scheme on the northern part of the site but these plans were dashed by the recession. As a result, he made the decision to privately fund the project.
Following the restoration, the 5,200 sq m site has become the home of accountancy firm Smith Cooper.
Andrew Hayward, director at Brownhill Hayward Brown, said: "It was a very brave decision by Richard to source funding for this project himself.
"There was limited local grant assistance, so there was a danger that this project would not get off the floor once the plan for residential housing fell through.
"There is a feeling that we are turning the corner following the recession."
Brownhill Hayward Brown's architects repaired the parlous stonework.
Mr Hayward said: "We were very honoured to be able to work on the finest surviving Georgian town house in Derby and ensuring that we respected the heritage of the building was paramount.
"We've managed to retain many of the building's original features and the skyline and silhouette of the building have been preserved.''
As well as the quality of the finish, it was the consideration of the building's history that impressed judges enough to secure the firm local and industry awards.
Judges from Derby Civic Society said the work had been "undertaken with the utmost care and attention to detail" as they awarded St Helen's House Best Restoration Project. It was also given the George Rennie Award – an annual city heritage accolade.
The firm was awarded Best Re-use of a Georgian Building at the Georgian Group Architectural Awards.
