Offices Of North West Water Limited

The Offices of North West Water Limited is an office block originally built for a factory, dating from the mid-19th century. It underwent significant alterations and additions in 1899 by architect Henry Higginson, with further changes in the early 20th century. The building is constructed of snecked red sandstone, featuring flush ashlar quoins and a stone-bracketed metal gutter. It has a hipped slate roof with 20th-century metal vents. Originally a single storey over a basement with nine bays, it was raised by an extra storey in 1899, and three additional bays were added to the right.

The building has a pilastered sandstone porch, which is accessed by flanking flights of stone steps with patterned cast-iron railings. The porch originally served as the central entrance and bears the inscription "FERGUSON BROTHERS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE." The windows are sash style, some with glazing bars on the lower floor, all set within stone surrounds. The interior has not been inspected.

An illustration from 1854 in the publication "Centenary: Ferguson Brothers, Carlisle 1824-1924" depicts the office as it was originally built. Plans for the alterations approved on June 9, 1899, can be found in the Cumbria County Record Office. A postcard from around 1905 shows the two-storey, nine-bay building. Additional office extensions to the left are not of interest.