Newark Works; an unloved riverside Grade II listed heritage building which has been laid empty for 20+ years with rich history linking back to The Titanic.
Inside, had lied 40,000 sq.ft of empty space, seized machinery, rotten floors, broken doors, collapsed ceilings, and the original Stothert & Pitt Ltd crane hook overshadowing the grand hall.
Originally, the building was home to Stothert & Pitt Ltd, the internationally renowned engineering firm that was founded in Bath in 1785. Stothert & Pitt specialised in crane design, including the design and production of dockside and offshore cranes, and famously, supplying cranes for onboard of The Titanic.
The company developed the first steam crane in 1851, before the construction of Newark Works commenced, just six years later in 1857. Forty-one years since the first steam crane was invented, the first electric crane was manufactured in 1892. Eight of these electric rotating cranes were installed onto The Titanic in 1909: four on the port side and four on the starboard side, to help with the onboarding of heavy cargo.
After two hundred years since inception, the company was sold in 1986. The number of cranes produced by the company survive around the world, several of which are listed.
In 2016, regeneration company TCN UK bought Newark Works with the vision to restore the building and celebrate the creative companies that once formed here. Keeping Newark Works identity, TCN is set to breed life back into the bath quays once again by the development of creative workspaces; designed for collaboration, nurturing entrepreneurs and reflect design accents to its rich history.
In 2019, TCN obtained full planning and listed building consent for the Grade 2 listed structure before undertaking a full tender process for the construction.
In 2020, TCN signed a £7 million construction contract with BAM for the development of Newark Works. The contract covers the full refurbishment of the historic buildings including new roof structures, replacement windows and full internal reconfiguration to create 40,000 sq ft of vibrant workspace with ancillary retail and leisure facilities- ensuring the history remains a focal point of the redevelopment.
Currently under construction, new walls have been erected with staggering ceiling heights of two double decker buses, black steel crittall style windows reflect the original frames have been installed. The remaining interior design kit out is planned for this May 2022.
Newark Works grand launch (and reopening) is scheduled for August 2022 and is expected to have great numbers of people to see the transformation. The building will provide a creative campus of creative and digital companies, studios and workspaces to suit both small and medium sizes. Along with individual units there will be a range of meeting areas, break out facilities and amenities to engender a quirky, collaborative and inspiring environment.
Richard Pearce, CEO of TCN, commented
“Newark Works will once again be the entrepreneurial pride of Bath. We are delighted to have reached this point and welcome BAM on board to help us deliver our vision”.
https://www.tcnuk.co.uk/