Wakefield warehouse a top ten industrial building
24th Jun 2008
On the eve of a conference celebrating the regeneration of former mills and warehouses, an article in the Guardian newspaper with the headline ‘Run of the mill they’re not’, listed Navigation Warehouse, part of the British Waterways led regeneration of Wakefield Waterfront, in a top ten of industrial buildings whose reuse is making a lasting impression on West Yorkshire’s regeneration.
Richard Curtis, from BW's development team, has been championing the regeneration of Wakefield Waterfront for over a decade. The complex partnership of land owners, tenants, community interest groups and Wakefield Council has obtained grant assistance from Europe, Heritage Lottery Fund and Yorkshire Forward allowing the regeneration to press ahead.
Notably, the restoration and regeneration will restore several listed buildings and will remove the grade 2* listed Navigation Warehouse from English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register (one of two BW owned structures remaining on the list). Other elements of regeneration across the ten acres of historic waterfront include providing a series of apartments, work and leisure spaces as well as the new Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gallery.
The first phase of regeneration which includes the restoration of Navigation Warehouse and the creation of bars, restaurants and public realm to reopen access to the waterside, is due to be complete by October. British Waterways will add serviced moorings by spring 2009. Later phases of regeneration will follow, including the art gallery in 2010.
Richard Curtis comments: "Whilst the city’s waterways have played a significant role in the city’s industrial heritage and economic prosperity, they have not been fulfilling their potential for some time. It is delightful to see the waterside coming back to life. I am particularly proud of the sensitive restoration of Navigation Warehouse which will see the original character of the building retained. Two ground floor units within the Warehouse will provide a riverside setting for potential pub or restaurant occupiers. The three upper levels will be converted to modern office space."
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