Historic England named Client of the Year for £28m Shrewsbury mill repair and reuse

The Client of the Year accolade goes to Historic England, a non-departmental arm of government whose responsibility it is to protect the UK’s historic environment, a body not usually known in a client capacity.

However, it has taken on that role more recently, pushing hard for over 15 years for the repair and transformation of the world’s first iron-framed building into a social enterprise hub and leisure destination – and in doing so creating a flagship heritage regeneration project.

Not only has Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings – retrofitted by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and winner in the Adaptive reuse into mixed-use category – set a precedent for innovative yet light-touch refurbishments, but it also has a large agenda, aiming to make a much wider positive social impact on Shrewsbury. Providing work and leisure space for local people and businesses, a heritage skills programme was also delivered during the construction works, using the site as a tool for learning.

It’s a project that has been long in the making. Heritage England bought the site in 2005. Its architect, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, has been strategic adviser and architect to both Historic England and Shropshire Council since 2003.

Source: Daniel Hopkinson

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

The project itself, a light-touch upgrade, which the judges deemed ‘an advert for respecting the existing urban fabric outside London’ highlights impressive commitment, design creativity and attention to detail, all within a fine, conservation-led solution. It shows a sense of pride and belief in a positive future.

But successful, forward-thinking projects like this are not created by the architect alone. They are the product of a network of stakeholders, including the local community, all with a great client at the helm.

Historic England is truly deserving of this award for pushing hard for a long time to make this project happen. It is forward-thinking and sets a precedent for having a much wider agenda than just the building itself – in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

The transformation of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings is just the beginning. Earlier this year, Peter Barber Architects won an open tender to create new housing at the Grade I-listed mill. The homes will be built on brownfield land surrounding the eight listed buildings.

This follows a new ambitious framework launched by Historic England for the repair and upgrade of its country-wide estate. In addition to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, buildings in its first lot include its York, Newcastle and Manchester offices and Baguley Hall in Manchester.

The AJ is excited to see how all these schemes develop – particularly following the success at Shrewsbury. Historic England has demonstrated that it is a forward-thinking client that puts long-term sustainability, here combined with heritage, first to enable growth, change and resilience.

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