The conversion of this nineteenth century Grade II listed cotton mill into a rich mix of 44 apartments has concentrated on retaining the beauty of the existing building; to allow the character of the cast iron columns, the brick jack arches, the various scars and interventions representing the accretion of history and use, to play a dominant role in the refurbishment strategy. New interventions are simple but clearly modern, avoiding any ambiguity with the historic buildings. This design approach required a great deal of sensitivity, specificity and precision, resulting in no two apartments being exactly the same.
The refurbishment of the Longlands Mill formed part of a wider masterplan for the Castle Street area in Stalybridge. (See Longlands Pattern House.)