Saltaire Mills - Main Block Including Sheds

This is a substantial mill complex constructed between 1851 and 1853 by Lockwood and Mawson, with engineering input from Sir William Fairbairn, for Titus Salt. It forms part of the planned model village of Saltaire. The building is constructed of hammer-dressed stone with ashlar and rock-faced dressings, and has a Welsh slate roof. The main block is arranged in a T-plan, with lower sheds forming the angles and extending to the east, and it has a basement.

The main facade, 60 bays long, is arranged symmetrically, with the bay divisions 22, 1, 3, 6, 3, 22, and 1, repeated. Bays A and C project slightly, as does bay D. The central and projecting bays are topped by square open towers with paired round arches. Ground-floor window heads are round-arched with rusticated rock-faced voussoirs. Windows to the top floor of the central and projecting bays also feature round arches with archivolts and keystones. Three carriage entrances, with segmental-headed rusticated rock-faced voussoirs, are located within the facade; one has been infilled with an extension, and another has been partly blocked. Slender two-storey round-arched openings are situated at the base of each bay D, one infilled with contemporary glazing and the other with more recent materials. Ashlar rusticated quoins and ashlar pilaster-quoins define the upper floors. A string course runs between the floors, and a deep bracketed eaves cornice and a central parapet complete the facade. Single-storey sheds sit to the right, characterised by round-arched windows, segmental-headed cart-entries and a deep parapet. The warehouse section of the 'T' plan is 25 bays long, with plain casements, finishing in a five-storey block, 12 bays long by 6 bays deep. The rear facade, overlooking the canal, is near-symmetrical, with segmental pediments above two loading bays. Seven large, round-arched openings with rock-faced rusticated voussoirs, now infilled with glazing, are located at a low level, providing direct access to the canal. Pedimented side elevations mark the end block. To the right of the rear facade, a four-storey, 23-bay block runs parallel to the canal, and to the left, a 22-bay shed has north-lights.

The building features fire-proof construction utilizing cast-iron columns and beams, stone floors supported on hollow-brick arches, and a cast-iron roof. The historic context highlights its vital role within the Saltaire model village.