Nan Tait Centre, Grade II listed arts and office building in Barrow-in-Furness, England.
Nan Tait Centre is a four-story building with a central domed tower built from red brick and terracotta beneath a slate roof. It houses various organizations including performing arts groups, dance companies, and administrative offices.
Originally constructed in 1903 as a technical school, the building served students for many decades before entering decline in the 1970s. It was extensively renovated in the early 2000s and transformed into a mixed-use arts and office center.
Two large relief panels decorate the eastern facade, with one showing six robed figures and the Latin inscription 'Ars Longa Vita Brevis'. These carvings reflect the building's role as a creative and community hub.
The building is centrally located and accessible with multiple entrances serving different tenants. Visitors should check ahead to learn which spaces are open or what events are happening, as various organizations inside maintain different hours.
During World War II, this structure survived intact while the neighboring Christ Church suffered extensive damage from German air raids in 1941. This contrast highlights how the building endured the conflict and served as a stable landmark for the community.
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