Wheelwrights Riverside Office Conversion

Newark

This project is for the conversion of an Old Wheelwrights into new offices in central Newark. The site sits adjacent to the Trent Navigation in Newark forming the historic wall of this canalised section of river. The existing building is believed to be an old stable block built in the early 19th Century for the dray horses which would cart imported products from the Wharf side up to the breweries; it was converted into a wheelwrights during the 1980’s Millgate regeneration scheme to encourage artisans to live in this run down area referred to locally as the Millgate slums.

The building forms an L shape and consists of two wings built at different periods in time; there is also believed to be an old garden wall of the adjacent property incorporated into one of the elevations. The scheme aims to restore the old stable frontage on the oldest wing, and to replace the newer wing with a modern insertion, which fronts the river with a glazed gable and bridges over the riverside walk which is a public right of way forming part of the Newark heritage trail; the old garden wall will also be retained. The proposed materials are sensitive to the conservation area and the history of the site, using brick and pantiles on the stable block reflecting the existing materials, and charred timber and slate on the new wing bringing a modern twist to historic materials. The scheme will provide office accommodation over two floors with river views and associated facilities.

Planning has now been submitted for the scheme.