The opportunity
- Become the occupiers of the world’s first iron-framed building – the grandparent of all skyscrapers
- Invest in the development of the remaining historic buildings
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings’ innovative design gave the world its first iron-framed building, paving the way for the modern sky-scraper and blazing a trail which has since seen other world famous landmark buildings follow – from The Empire State Building to the Burj Khalifa.
Photos: copyright Historic England and featured with their permission.
An exciting regeneration opportunity
Situated just north of Shrewsbury Town Centre, this site offers opportunity to develop buildings and/or land for commercial, residential and community uses. The historically significant 7 acre site contains eight listed buildings, four of which have been restored.
The Grade I Main Mill, and adjoining Grade II Kiln, have recently undergone an award winning £28 million redevelopment, with a £20.7m grant being received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The buildings have been sensitively restored by owners Historic England to create four floors of airy, spacious and stylish offices filled with natural light, along with a visitor and learning experience and café on the ground floor. The restoration of these internationally important buildings are helping to achieve the vision of the Flaxmill Maltings becoming a place for people to live, work, play and learn.
From 1 April 2025, English Heritage will be taking over the management of the visitor offer within the Main Mill.
There are still a number of buildings we are looking to regenerate on site, including the Grade I listed Cross Mill and Warehouse buildings and Grade II* Dye House. To discuss potential investment opportunities, contact Historic England via Flaxmill.Project@HistoricEngland.org.uk
Commercial office space available to let
Expertly converted to retain the integrity of the original features and character, the office spaces are available to let, with two floors already occupied, and a third floor scheduled to be fitted out for interested tenants.
Comprising more than 25,000 square feet of converted office space and 3,000 square feet of meeting space set across four floors, the space provides a modern working environment. This historic building has been restored with sustainability at the forefront, and includes features like natural ventilation, a low carbon energy heat source and excellent natural lighting.
Historic England have appointed Towler Shaw Roberts as the agents. For more information and to arrange a viewing, please visit the agent’s Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings web page or alternatively call Toby Shaw on 01743 260880.
Quick Facts
Location : 0.7 miles north of Shrewsbury train station
Development use: commercial, residential and community
Project owner: Historic England
Investment type: Developers, investors and tenants
Status: Procurement Stage for wider site residential development
Completion: Main Mill completed 2023
Contact: email Flaxmill.Project@HistoricEngland.org.uk
Major Local Companies: Caterpillar Defence, Doncasters, Aerospace, ABP, Morris and Co, Veolia, Dyke Yaxley and AHR
Awards received:
- 2024 RIBA National Award
- 2024 RIBA West Midlands Award
- 2024 RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year
- 2024 RIBA West Midlands Client of the Year
- 2024 RIBA West Midlands Project Architect of the Year
- 2024 RIBA West Midlands Conservation Award
- 2024 Europa Nostra Awards: Conservation and Adaptive Reuse
- 2024 AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards: Client of the Year
- 2024 AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards: Adaptive reuse into mixed use
- 2024 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award
- 2022 Georgian Group Diaphoros Prize
Residential development opportunity
The site masterplan, which has outline consent, includes brownfield land for residential dwellings, the potential restoration and conversion of the remaining historic building and future commercial opportunities. Historic England is in the process of identifying a developer who will take the lead on this element of the regeneration. An appointment is expected by Autumn 2025.