Business

Former Belfast linen mill now fully let office block after multi-million pound transformation

Pictured at the redeveloped Flax House are Jonathan Elder, corporate banking manager at Danske Bank (centre) with Gareth Booth (left) and Neil McKibbin (right), directors of Straidorn Properties
Pictured at the redeveloped Flax House are Jonathan Elder, corporate banking manager at Danske Bank (centre) with Gareth Booth (left) and Neil McKibbin (right), directors of Straidorn Properties Pictured at the redeveloped Flax House are Jonathan Elder, corporate banking manager at Danske Bank (centre) with Gareth Booth (left) and Neil McKibbin (right), directors of Straidorn Properties

THE multi-million pound redevelopment of an old Belfast linen mill into office space is now fully let just months after work was completed.

Flax House on Adelaide Street is now home to five tenants and 350 staff following a 14-month transformation project. The 30,000sq ft building is now grade A office space and is a base for MetaSwitch, MCS Group, Flexera and Made to Engage.

The five-storey red brick warehouse building dates back to the early 20th century was previously the home of McBride & Williams, cotton handkerchief manufacturers until it collapsed in 1931. The building was later leased to linen companies Edwin Stevenson & Co. Ltd, Henry Cooke Ltd and James Murphy Ltd and at one point had been earmarked for residential accommodation in the late 1990s.

Flax House was purchased by Straidorn Properties in late 2016 after the building had been unoccupied for over 30 years.

Director at Straidorn Properties, Gareth Booth said it was key the character of the former linen mill remained as part of the new office block.

“It was important for us to maintain as many of the original features of Flax House as possible but also to offer exceptional work space fit for 21st century use. We began the major renovation project to restore the building and added an extension to the rear to accommodate new centralised services. We spent some time creating a 3D walkthrough of how the building would look when completed and straight away two tenants signed up to our vision with 10 year leases off plan.”

Mr Booth added that the company is keen to explore further restoration projects in the city.

“There is still great demand for grade A office space but unfortunately not a lot of inventory. It’s important to be able to identify niche sizes of office space to develop as some of the larger schemes are not realistic for local tenants or developers. We’re always keeping an eye on the market and if an opportunity presents itself, we’ll certainly consider further restoration projects.”

Danske Bank provided financial support towards the restoration and corporate banking manager, Jonathan Elder added:

“Gareth and his team identified an opportunity to meet the changing demands of companies looking to expand. Our existing relationship with the owners meant funds were readily available and we’re delighted to have been involved in restoring this building to its former glory.

"We have been involved in a number of new grade A office spaces coming to market and it is encouraging to see a pipeline of product currently under construction or due to commence.”