Highmill Court

Existing Building

Built between 1861 and 1864, Seafield Works or Mill was a jute carpet works until 1986 when it ceased manufacturing. This prominent Grade A listed Italianate stone building was empty until 1992 when the upper floors were converted to flats. The ground floor units have remained empty despite numerous unrealised planning applications.

Design Proposals

The three ground floor ‘shells’ formed huge volumes of space and the previous owner had obtained planning for three single storey flats of between 240 and 375 square metres which did not make use of the double height and were far too large to be developed economically. Our brief was to maximise the use of these spaces to create a viable yield for the developer.

We established that the ‘shells’ split favourably into five substantial properties and created contemporary ‘loft’ style dwellings. The existing units have elegant cast iron columns and vaulted ceilings. We were keen to retain and expose these elements to reflect the robust yet elegant industrial character of the mill.

The industrial nature of the exposed steel is complimented by ‘high tech’ lighting and balanced by white ceilings and warm natural floor finishes of hardwood and limestone creating comfortable, contemporary ‘loft’ style dwellings.

The first unit was completed in 2007 with the remaining units due for completion by 2009. The first unit received a ‘Best Interior Design Commendation’ by the Dundee Institute of Architects and had a 2 page feature in the ‘At Home Magazine’ in the ‘Scotland On Sunday’ newspaper.