Description
Circa 1830-40, iron-framed flax mill, later a warehouse,
converted to offices for Low and Bonar by R Gibson in
circa 1913.
Elevation to King Street remodelled circa 1913 2-storey
14-bay commercial block of snecked rubble with ashlar
dressings. 3 arched entrances at centre and end bays of
ground floor. 2 are loading bays and W bay forms entrance
to office with original door below leaded Diocletian
window. Bipartite, tripartite over entrances, sash and
case windows with corbelled cills and leaded upper panes
at 1st floor. Cornice and parapet with central Art Nouveau
curvilinear pediment over attic Diocletian window. Rear
elevation, excluding W wing, is substantially 1830s rubble.
4 storeys (2 below road level forming part of East Port
Works) with projecting circular stair having conical slate
roof. Top floor window altered to bipartite. Attic dormer
hoist, other dormers modern. Slate roof.
Interior: Ground floor from King Street 1830s 2 rows of
cast-iron columns carry brick arches, cast-iron beams and
wrought-iron ties. Some partitions. 1st floor remodelled
as offices with 2 rows of Doric cast-iron columns. Fine
panelled marble stair, with lift in well, stained glass
window and Ionic pilastered entrances. Attic altered.
Statement of Special Interest
1850 plan shows "Fireproof Flax Mill, now a Warehouse", so
the building can have served as a mill for only a few years,
perhaps put up by William Shaw of the East Port Calender
during the 1830s boom.
When the East Port Calender was acquired by Low and Bonar
in 1907, the warehouse was converted to the head office
of the major textile manufacturers and exporters. See 100
Cowgate, East Port Works, for basement.