A key part of the regeneration of Leicester’s once derelict waterside area is ready for its first tenants.
Leicester City Council led the £2.3 million project to build more than 10,000 sq ft of new, purpose-built office space on the banks of the River Soar.
The Friars Mill scheme compliments an existing office complex in a former textiles factory block on the same site, which is now fully occupied.
The new build part of the scheme is made up of the 5,500 sq ft building called Riverside and 4,900 sq ft Fabric building.
The design and materials of the two new buildings were picked to fit in with the character and industrial heritage of the surrounding 18th century mill complex, which the council previously restored as part of an award-winning £7.1 million scheme.
Work was carried out by Leicester-based Brackley Property Developments, with Andrew and Ashwell in the city acting as marketing agents.
That part of the city is undergoing a huge regeneration push, with two new hotels going up, a private rented sector apartment block already being marketed and a major scheme well underway to bring the old Great Central Railway building back to life. New homes are also being built.
Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “The transformation of Friars Mill is remarkable.
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“In 2012, we were facing the loss of an important part of the city’s industrial heritage when the derelict Donisthorpe Factory was nearly destroyed in fire.
“The council stepped in and bought the building, pledging to restore and redevelop Friars Mill as a beacon for the wider regeneration of the Waterside and to help kickstart development on the ‘other side’ of Vaughan Way.
“These new offices are further evidence of how effective this has been.
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“Friars Mill is at full occupancy and I am confident that these attractive new offices will be snapped up.
“I want to congratulate Brackley on a wonderful job, which has created new and much-needed modern office buildings that sit perfectly alongside some of the oldest factory buildings in the city.
“Alongside the new developments taking place on Vaughan Way, these new offices represent a very important step forward for Waterside and its future as a great place to live and a thriving area for new business.”
Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of Brackley Property Developments, said: “We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to be involved in this development and to help build on the success of Leicester City Council’s restoration and redevelopment of the historic Friars Mill complex.
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“These two new buildings offer over 10,000 sq ft of high quality, purpose-built office accommodation in a fantastic riverside location at the heart of Leicester Waterside regeneration area.
“We’re proud to be able to report that we have already sold the Riverside building and that there is strong interest in the Fabric building.
“We’re now looking forward to continuing this success with future office development in the Waterside area.”
The £2.3 million scheme to build new offices at Friars Mill was supported by £1 million of Government cash through the Local Growth Fund by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.
Work on the new offices started in 2016, prompted by strong interest in the success of the original award-winning Friars Mill scheme which is now managed by the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.
Work on phase two stalled when the original contractor William Anelay Ltd went into administration.
Leicester City council then engaged Brackley Property Developments, who will also work on the phased construction of 60,000 sq ft of new purpose-built office on council-owned land at Northgate Street.
Work on that scheme expected to get underway early in 2020.