A historic industrial works in Bath has been transformed into a huge new creative hub for businesses in the city following a £9m redevelopment.
Newark Works in Bath Quays South was formerly home to Victorian engineering company Stothert and Pitt, which was founded in 1785 and developed the first steam crane in 1851.
The 40,000 sq ft grade-II listed warehouse has been completely renovated by regeneration specialists TCN, which signed a £7m deal with construction giant BAM in 2020 for the project.
As part of the redevelopment, the old building has had new roof structures, replacement windows and a full internal reconfiguration. New walls have also been erected that are the height of two double-decker buses, TCN said, and black steel windows, that reflect the original frames, have been installed.
The new hub, which will offer flexible working space to Bath’s independent businesses, was originally due to open in March 2021 - but is now expected to open its doors in October this year.
It will have various industrial-style workspaces - sized between 120 and 5,000 sq ft; super-fast broadband; bike storage; and shower and locker facilities. TCN has also kept Stothert and Pitt’s old cranes as part of the office space.
“TCN’s redevelopment of this historic grade-II listed industrial building signifies the rebirth of Newark Works,” a brochure on the development states.
“It is a dynamic and vibrant destination at the heart of the fast-evolving Bath Quays business district, within the new Bath Enterprise Zone. This is a home for single entrepreneurs, burgeoning creative businesses and well-established companies alike.”
A key part of Bath’s Enterprise Zone, Bath Quays South is a joint venture between TCN and the council to create space for digital, technology and creative companies in the city.
TCN bought Newark Works in 2016 and obtained full planning and listed building consent for the structure in 2019.
Richard Pearce, chief executive of TCN, previously said that Newark Works would become the "entrepreneurial pride of Bath" once it opened.
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