Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, one of the most important buildings of the UK's industrial past, is to be restored and redeveloped as a heritage visitor attraction.
Built in 1797, the building is known as the "grandparent of the modern-day skyscraper", due to its pioneering cast iron frame, which was the first of its kind in the world and paved the way for the development of skyscrapers.
It operated as a flax mill for almost a century, before being converted into a maltings – producing malt for the brewing industry for another century – before closing for the final time in 1987.
Design consultancy Mather & Co has won a competitive tender to support the restoration of the building.
The new visitor experience will interpret the many stories of the collection of historic buildings and Mather has revealed plans to develop an "interactive and engaging scheme" which will give visitors an exciting and uniquely memorable experience.
Mather & Co will develop a range of engagement opportunities and active interpretation on site celebrating the heritage of innovation at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and the historical, technological, and social significance of the site.
Work has now begun on restoring the Main Mill and Kiln buildings, while the upper floors of the Main Mill will be transformed into office space.
The visitor experience – located on the ground floor – will be operated by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and is scheduled to open in spring 2022.
The project is part of plans by Historic England, which owns the site, to regenerate the maltings as a hub for the community and a "place where people can work, play, learn and live".
The project has been funded by a £20.7m grant from the UK's National Lottery Heritage Fund, combined with additional funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government and from project partners Historic England, Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England said: “This special site is the product of an innovative leap and a collaborative approach which allowed bold new ideas to evolve and be put into practice.
"We’re looking forward to working with the Mather & Co team as they help us to develop a thriving visitor attraction which will engage the community and inspire visitors to return to the site again and again.”
Sarah Clarke, managing director at Mather & Co said: “We're excited to get started on this truly transformational project at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.
"The building has an incredible story to tell over two hundred years and we are looking forward to bringing that history and innovation to life for the surrounding community and visitors to the town.”
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Mather & Co£20m Silverstone Experience finally opens doors
From Wellington Bombers to Formula 1, Mather & Co and Cube Design create the Silverstone Experience


BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest

Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'

LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles

AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture

Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities

The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts

Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans

Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA

UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries

Museum devoted to the history of the US Army opens its doors

Architrave designs Banyan Tree Krabi with rainforest-themed spa

Anantara to debut in Seychelles following rebrand of luxury Bill Bensley-designed resort

World’s first energy-positive hotel and spa to be completed with interiors by Space Copenhagen

3XN design Denmark’s first climate-positive hotel with rooftop spa

BRC Imagination Arts completes new Glenkinchie Distillery brand home for Diageo as part of cycle of Scottish whisky attractions

First look: Contreras Earl Architecture creates Living Coral Biobank for the Great Barrier Reef Legacy

Heatherwick Studio reveals plans for 'The Cove' on San Francisco waterfront

Millimetre Design create new spa for Johnstown Estate in Ireland

B2Ai and SCAU to design new €100m Club Brugge stadium

Legorreta + Legorreta reveal cascading hillside design for Four Seasons Tamarindo

Celebrating Terence Conran
From parks designed to mitigate the effects of flooding to warming huts for one of the world’s coldest cities, these projects have been designed for increasingly extreme climates