Mill Hall, Moor Lane Mill North

Mill Hall, originally a worsted factory built around 1800 and later adapted for cotton spinning by 1828, now provides student accommodation. The building was powered by steam and was heightened by approximately 3 feet and re-roofed, likely around 1830. A lift tower was added to the south-east corner by 1877. Production ceased in 1975, followed by conversion into student accommodation in 1988-89.

The structure is characterised by battered walls of squared, coursed sandstone, topped with a slate roof. It is built using fireproof construction methods, including vaulted brick floors supported by cast-iron beams and columns, with original flagstones now replaced by concrete. The roof structure comprises timber spars and purlins integrated with sectional cast-iron trusses. The building occupies a rectangular footprint alongside the Lancaster Canal, and features coped gables, a ventilation shaft cap at the southern apex, and a truncated chimney stack against the north gable. The lift tower, located in the re-entrant south-east corner, is constructed of darker-coloured stone. The building presents five main storeys, complemented by a basement storey and a visible attic storey on the west side.

The east facade, facing the canal, comprises ten bays, with the left-hand bay belonging to the lift tower. An external iron fire escape, now non-functional, spans the two right-hand bays. A plain ashlar frieze, added during the roof raising, runs below the eaves, and contemporary rooflights are incorporated into the roof slope. The south gable wall reveals windows to the lift tower, refurbished after demolition of adjacent buildings, and these windows feature rusticated round-arched heads. A Doric porch, added by Charles B Pearson Son & Partners as part of the restoration, now serves as the main entrance. The west wall also features ten bays and includes a central gabled, round-arched loading door at attic level.

The initial worsted mill was established by Thomas Higgin & Co., Thomas being the second son of John Higgin Senior, the Governor of the Castle. It operated as a cotton mill under the ownership of Burrow, Higgin & Co. by 1828. In 1846, John Greg acquired the mill, adding it to his holdings which already included Moor Lane Mill South. The property was subsequently sold to Storey Brothers in 1861, who managed its operations until its closure. The original engine house was situated within the north bay of the mill, rising through four storeys, and evidence suggests the mill was designed from the outset to accommodate a beam engine. This engine bay was subsequently floored over in 1929. The conversion works involved the demolition of later additions, the creation of new emergency stairs in the north-east corner, the installation of a new hydraulic lift in the lift shaft, and subdivision into study bedrooms.