St Helen's House

St Helen's House
St Helen's House in its days as Derby School, with the Old Derbeians' war memorial
General information
Architectural style	Palladian
Town or city	King Street, Derby
Country	England
Coordinates	52°55′39″N 1°28′50″W / 52.92738°N 1.48065°W / 52.92738; -1.48065
Completed	1767
Design and construction
Architect	Joseph Pickford

St Helen's House is a Grade I listed building situated in King Street, Derby, England. Now leased as offices, it has been used in the past as a private residence and as an educational establishment.

In 2013, renovation of the main house was completed. Originally it was planned to convert both St. Helen's House and the Pearson Building into a luxury hotel, with an adjoining crescent of new apartments. Due to the economic situation in 2011 this plan was changed, and it was decided to convert the building into an office instead. Renovation of the Pearson Building remains on hold.

St Helen's House was built between 1766 and 1767 for alderman John Gisborne (of Yoxall Lodge, Staffordshire). The house was built in the Palladian style by architect Joseph Pickford. It originally stood in 80 acres (320,000 m²) of parkland.

Although the interior has been altered, the facade remains intact. It has been described by the Georgian Group, of London, as "one of the finest and largest eighteenth century townhouses to survive in any provincial city".

In 1801, the house was purchased by William Strutt, the eldest son of Jedediah Strutt (a pioneer in the cotton and hosier industry). Following William's death, the house passed to his son Edward, who became MP and Alderman of Derby. He was created Edward Strutt, 1st Baron Belper in 1846. His son, Henry Strutt, 2nd Baron Belper was born in the St. Helen's House in 1840.

In 1860 Edward Strutt offered to sell the house to the governors of Derby School. Initially the school could not afford to buy the house, but Edward Strutt, "being desirous of promoting the cause of education in Derby" loaned the house for free, on a temporary basis. The school moved to the house in January 1861 and purchased it from Strutt in 1863, for £3,300. £1,300 of this came from a public subscription and £2,000 from a mortgage raised by Derby Corporation.