Roberts Wharf

The scheme comprises the sensitive refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Roberts Mart ‘Bank Mills’, alongside the insertion of two contemporary residential blocks overlooking the River Aire. 

Occupying a prominent riverside site on the north bank of the River Aire, within walking distance of Leeds city centre, the area has been shaped by centuries of industrial activity and is now defined by ongoing waterfront regeneration. As a former flax mill its robust masonry structures, cast-iron columns and expansive windows reflect Leeds’s textile heritage, aspects we were keen to retain as part of its regeneration.  

The development transforms a long-disused mill into a vibrant mixed-use destination, delivering 198 one- and two-bedroom apartments alongside 11,700 sq ft of flexible, open-plan office space at ground floor. By repurposing the historic structure, the scheme preserves local heritage while introducing contemporary living and working environments. The combination of residential and commercial uses has been carefully combined to support a sustainable urban regeneration strategy, activating the site throughout the day and creating opportunities for social interaction, economic activity, and community engagement. This integration of uses fosters a strong sense of place, enhancing both the neighbourhood’s character and its connectivity, and contributing to a resilient, mixed-use urban community.

Original brick barrel-vaulted ceilings, cast-iron columns and sliding industrial doors have been exposed and integrated, creating dramatic open-plan living spaces with a distinct loft-style quality. The deep-plan nature of the mill informed an inventive residential layout, with generously proportioned bedrooms and living spaces designed to maximise natural light through the building’s expansive original windows. In parts, the roof structure has been utilised to create distinctive duplex apartments. 

Two new residential blocks were inserted on the footprints of later printing sheds within the existing courtyards. Their design echoes the rhythm, scale and materiality of the historic mill, using concrete frame construction, exposed brickwork and lightweight rainscreen cladding to upper levels. A curved glazed link provides a subtle and contemporary connection between old and new. 

One of the scheme’s most complex challenges was upgrading the historic mill buildings to modern acoustic and fire standards without compromising their fabric. Dating from the 1820s to the 1890s, the buildings comprised multiple construction typologies, each demanding a bespoke response. We carefully investigated historic floor build-ups, challenged assumptions, and worked closely with specialist consultants to develop innovative, lightweight solutions that respected the listed structure while achieving current legislative requirements. By combining a deep understanding of historic construction with practical, buildable interventions, we were able to enhance acoustic performance, improve fire safety, and create high-quality commercial and residential spaces.