Islington Mill’s three level “Engine Room” space is available for hire starting Jan 1 2016, and you’re invited to an open viewing day to have a look around what’s been described as ‘the coolest space in Manchester’ by its current tenants, celebrated design agency Raw.
We’ll be open for viewing to potential tenants on Friday 18 December between 10am and 3pm. It’s a chance for creatives who are interested in space at the Mill to come and have a look at the possibilities of this unique opportunity.
This flexible use space can be used either as dedicated workspace, or as a live and work space; the three floors could also be divided between collective ventures or cooperatives, providing space for up to four desks in the smallest space and 8-10 on other floors. Features include a fireman’s pole, soaring double-height spaces, balconies, full kitchen amenities and even a walk-in shower – not your average work space!
The building has long been a source of creative inspiration at the Mill; originally home to Islington Mill founder Bill Campbell as he started refurbishing the Mill building in 2000; his original additions to the space prompted Elle Decoration to feature an eight-page shoot on the Engine House in September 2003.
The three-storey building was also home to Ivor Novello-winning band the Ting Tings, who lived and worked in the space during a four-year residency from 2005 to 2009. The Ting Tings released their UK No.1 Album ‘We Started Nothing’ in 2008 while tenants at the Mill, selling more than 3.5 million records by 2009. Talking about their time in Salford, they said:
“Working at the Mill gave us a very honest and very motivated platform. There was so much to learn from other artists working across the yard. What was really inspiring was seeing how many of the other artists were engaging with each other, still very connected to the outside world. Something we were losing the ability to do. It helped us understand art, our art and how to feel much more comfortable around it. Undoubtedly it gave us confidence to expose our work that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. We were able to indulge into art we never thought we could be a part of. For the first time in our creative lives it felt like everything was possible and not just in our minds.”
Most recently, the Engine Room has been home to award-winning design agency Raw, who’ve worked with clients including the FA, the England and Wales Cricket Board, The BBC Philharmonic, NHS and Vegetarian Society. Raw started out in the Engine Room space at the Mill 10 years ago as a fledgling company, and have been able to use their time at the Mill to grow their business, win several awards, and evolve their practice.
Islington Mill is a thriving creative community and offers unique resources to all who work in and around the building. Available space at the Mill is rare and we are looking to expand our network in order to find the tenant or tenants who will gain the most from access to the space and the Mill community. We are especially looking for tenants who not only have a goal for how they will use this space to grow their business or artistic practice, but how they plan to best contribute to the Mill community overall.
During the open viewing, members of the Islington Mill staff will be on hand to have conversations with potential tenants and to answer any questions. Following the open viewing, we will be accepting submissions of financial offers and proposals for how potential tenants envision using the space so we’re best able to coordinate any shared space usages and ensure we find the right tenants.
For space enquiries, please email stina@islingtonmill.com
Come and join us to have a look around on Friday 18 December between 10am and 3pm and see how we might to work together and use this amazing space to its best advantage.
