Creative businesses are starting to move into Makers’ Yard, a new workspace centre that has been created from the shell of a historic old factory.
Designed by architects maber, the £1 million regeneration project is in the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter.
Maber have breathed new life into the Victorian building, thought to be the oldest surviving hosiery factory in the East Midlands.
One of the first businesses to move in is Wayfarer Furniture. Its owner, Harris Chapman, said: “I’m lucky to have a space in Makers’ Yard. The building is inspirational. It’s perfect for designers like me, with lots of windows to let in plenty of natural light for when we are working. The LCB Depot is incredibly supportive of small businesses like me, and always helps promote our work whenever they can.”
Joe Player, architect at maber, said: “We have converted a derelict and unloved factory to a modern, vibrant, creative destination, but we have done that not just within the confines of a Grade II listing but with an affectionate nostalgia for the Victorian era.
“Creating Makers’ Yard has been an exciting project to be involved in. As an East Midlands practice with a successful office in Leicester, we hope the new facilities will encourage more young creative businesses to set up shop and grow in the city.”
The Grade II listed building, dating from 1860, has been sensitively converted for Leicester City Council into a sister centre for its successful creative business hub LCB Depot.
This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Leicester City Council. Studio spaces are available from 100sq ft, with an early bird discount for the first year.
Maber has worked on a string of city centre developments across the East Midlands, including the 22-storey Summit in Leicester, and the Mercedes Showroom in Derby.
A multi-disciplinary practice, maber have also expanded their service capabilities to include BIM, an interiors specialist, maber iD, and maber Landscape.
The architects have won numerous awards and accolades, including a Royal Institute of British Architects commendation for its Arena Apartments in Nottingham, and an RICS Project of the Year Award for the Roundhouse Campus, Derby College's £48m city centre campus.