Weir Mill
- Location
- Stockport, UK
- Client
- Capital and Centric Limited
- Expertise
- Acoustics
- Architecture
- Design Management
- Town Planning
- Completion
- 2025
- Size
- 84,000 sq ft
- Cost
- £60m
The Weir Mill project in Stockport is breathing new life into a historic site, transforming the former cotton mill into a vibrant mixed-use community.
Built in the 18th century, this complex is being redeveloped to house 253 apartments across two new buildings, with the original structure reimagined for modern living. The project combines old and new, creating a lively town space while preserving the mill’s heritage. The former cotton mill will be refurbished to create spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, alongside 24,000 square feet of commercial space aimed at attracting independent businesses, from cafés to co-working spaces. Weavers Square will introduce a new public area for markets and events, featuring cast-iron columns from the mill’s former weavers’ shed, a nod to the site’s rich industrial past.
The design blends historic architecture with contemporary elements, with the new buildings crafted to complement the Victorian infrastructure around them. This thoughtful regeneration reconnects the community with its history, offering cultural and environmental benefits and supporting Stockport’s local economy. Residents will enjoy outdoor spaces, including a green courtyard on the west side of the mill, designed as a tranquil oasis amid the bustling town. Developer Tim Heatley of Capital & Centric speaks to the value of preservation: “These buildings have real character, and that requires creative solutions. It’s far more interesting to keep a building and bring it back to life than to tear it down.” His words capture the essence of this £60 million project, turning an historic mill complex into 256 apartments, co-working spaces, and community amenities.
“The reality is that this stunning historic mill, parts of which date back as far as the late 1700s, were at risk of being lost forever. Thanks to Stockport’s support, we can not only save Weir Mill, but make it one of the main storylines in Stockport’s next chapter. Weaves Square, a new public space, will create a flexible venue for markets and events, and is located next to the Grade II* listed Stockport Viaduct, giving people the opportunity to experience the scale of the amazing structure up close. The square will feature retained cast-iron columns from the site’s former weavers shed, while West Courtyard, another of the development’s outdoor spaces, provides a lush, green oasis for residents."
Weir Mill has witnessed centuries of change. Built near the impressive Stockport Viaduct and River Mersey, this site was part of the region’s booming textile industry, once a powerhouse of British cotton manufacturing. Now, the redevelopment honours this legacy while introducing new architecture and community spaces. Visitors to the area can admire the monumental viaduct up close and explore the new square, where retained cast-iron columns create a unique event space.
Weir Mill’s regeneration isn’t just about preserving a landmark but about reconnecting people with history and creating a sustainable future. The mill, first powered by the River Mersey in 1790, has seen fires, technical advancements, and countless uses over the years. Now, with its vibrant community focus, the Weir Mill redevelopment is a testament to the importance of preserving our past while building for tomorrow.
The Developer Podcast: These buildings have stories to tell
Turning historic buildings to new use, Tim Heatley, co-founder of developer Capital&Centric, and Mark Braund, architect director at BDP talk about creating a new community out of an historic mill and bringing apartment living to the suburbs
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Our detailed design approach to the architecture of the proposed buildings including planning, elevations and materiality. All building developments focus on internal apartment layouts, ground floor commercial and plant and servicing layouts, and vehicular access routes through the site.
The apartment layouts create what appears to be a fitted piece of furniture running under the line of the existing beams and serving to subdivide the apartment between living and sleeping accommodation. We have taken this approach and applied it across both buildings and the new buildings to create a family of apartment types, each of which can be balanced against an element of exposed structure whether that be old or new.
The Stockport Mill is being carefully repaired and returned to sustainable uses, consistent with its conservation and with the additional conversion of ground floor vacant spaces to new commercial offerings for independent businesses.
The masterplan approach has considered inclusivity, user orientation and accessibility from the outset. The development is within 300m to the shopping centre of Stockport as well as, a library, museums and theatres, providing easy access to local services. The development also benefits from being next to local and national bus / coach services, just over 300m to the mainline Stockport railway station, and a wide variety of cycle routes including the Trans Pennine Trail.
