Saturday, August 2, 2025

Architecturally renowned Derby building to be sold

The iconic Olivetti Building in Derby, one of only four similar buildings within the United Kingdom and renowned for its distinctive 1970s design, is to be sold with a £1m price tag.

Originally designed by the legendary architect Edward Cullinan, for the Italian typewriter manufacturer Olivetti, the building reflects a legacy of innovation, with its bold, modernist architecture and forward-thinking open-plan layout.

Its clean lines, clerestory windows, and thoughtful integration with the surrounding environment set it apart as a design-led workplace well ahead of its time.

In recent years, the 1.02-acre site has been modernised and repurposed by Fresh Logistics, a UK temperature-controlled courier service. The company’s founder, Alan White, acquired and redeveloped the site in 2015, transforming it into a logistics hub while preserving its architectural integrity.

“We’ve always seen the Olivetti Building as more than just a workplace – it’s a piece of design history,” said Alan White. “We’ve invested in making it both functional and inspirational, blending heritage with high-performance business infrastructure. Now it’s time for the next chapter.”

The current layout includes fully serviced offices, meeting rooms, conference facilities, and a purpose-built logistics centre. There’s also scope for further development, subject to planning.

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