October 31 2018

jmarchitects have showcased their work to convert two grade A listed mill buildings into a four star Hotel Indigo comprising 102 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar within what was once the world’s largest linen factory.

Both the North and Bell Mill at Lower Dens Works now face each other across an internal courtyard from which the primary entrance at North Mill can be accessed as well as a restaurant, bar and ‘back of house’ functions. This courtyard also masks an 11m fall across the site by providing a level access.

Accommodation is stacked on upper levels of both mills which benefit from new timber windows, screens and doors, restricting new openings to a minimum, repairing stonework and completely replacing the roof with a combination of slate and a single ply membrane system.

Two meet building regulations three new stair cores and two lift shafts were required to be built.

In a statement the architects observed: “The circulation routes were carefully designed and planned in order that they could be incorporated within the existing cast iron beam and column arrangements. The existing columns and features were exposed and incorporated within the guestrooms where possible.”

Historic features are particularly pronounced in guest rooms where brick jack arch soffits have been left exposed.
 

1 Comment

#1 Posted by Richard Gillis on 27 Apr 2021 at 12:57 PM

My Father, the late Harold Gillis, bought Lower Dens Works 40 years ago and I sold the building complex a few years ago for redevelopment. My Father would have been thrilled to see the wonderful Indigo Hotel which has been built on the site and so am I. The Gillis family wish the owners of the Hotel every success.

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