Historic technical college up for sale at £4m

The building is near to the University of Bradford campus

A Victorian educational building with royal connections has gone on the market for almost £4million.

The former Bradford Technical School was opened in 1882 by the Prince of Wales, and offered night classes for the city's mill workers.

The 150,000 sq ft site, on Great Horton Road, later became part of Bradford College.

The Grade II-listed building, described as "magnificent", was the subject of a planning application to convert it into luxury apartments in 2021.

The site has potential to be redeveloped into accomodation

The site was purchased by a property developer and given consent for residential use by Bradford Council.

Leeds-based agency The Block Buying Company said the building was "steeped in history".

It played a significant role in the development of textiles education, and also housed art, engineering, chemistry and dyeing departments.

Thousands of people lined the route from Saltaire to Great Horton Road for the college's opening to catch a glimpse of the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, who had been guests of mill owner Sir Titus Salt.

The technical school was founded as the Mechanics' Institute in 1832 before it was decided that a purpose-built site was needed.

Bradford College took over its function but moved out to modern accommodation nearby in 2014.

Many of the original features remain

The agents said the building would appeal to investors due to it still having permission in place for "189 units with C3 residential use".

The consent also included a cinema, gym, restaurant and business lounge.

The building has retained original features including a lecture theatre-style classroom.

The current owner was described as "keen to sell" by the agents, who also highlighted its potential to become student accommodation.

Citywide Investors, who bought the property from after it had become vacant, said they wanted their apartment scheme to appeal to city centre workers as well as students.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.