Former School Of Art

The Former School of Art, now used as offices, was built around 1853 by Murray and Pugin for Mintons. It is constructed of brick with stone bands and dressings, topped with a Welsh slate roof. The building is two stories high and has seven bays, with the central bay being more prominent. The entrance, located in the central bay, features an architrave with polygonal shafts and a stilted arch, which includes relief panels in the spandrels. On either side of the entrance, there are four-pane sash windows with stilted arched stone heads and keystones that act as console brackets for a projecting balconette adorned with wrought-iron railings. The upper windows are mullioned and transomed, showcasing quatrefoil tracery within gothic arched heads. The facade is decorated with tiled bands that depict stylised birds and foliage, along with a continuous foliated string course and hood moulds above the upper windows. Moulded stone console brackets and foliate panels form the eaves cornice. The upper storey, which was originally a studio, remains intact. This building was constructed as a memorial for Herbert Minton.