Low Mill No 1, Seafield Works, 35 Taylor's Lane, Dundee

Low Mill No 1, Seafield Works, Taylor's Lane, Dundee

This Grade A jute carpet works was developed mainly by Robertson and Orchar between 1861 and 1864 as a prominent Italianate complex. The buildings are constructed in coursed rubble with ashlar dressings.

The High Mill is the centrepiece, a 4-storey mill with attic dating from 1861. The main 22-bay structure features a cornice and parapet. Its north elevation has 21 bays, with an advanced 3-bay quoined central section containing two large doors at ground floor level. Above these sit two large pilastered and corniced tripartite windows at first floor, with segmental-headed windows above. The ground floor of the eastern section adjoins the former mechanics' shop, while the western section is partly masked by a later small brick addition. A later external lift has been added. The westernmost bay projects to form a 5-storey square-section stair tower with arched windows to north and west. This tower has a campanile-type top stage with paired arched louvred bell stage, cornice, pyramid roof with corner acroteria and ball finial. A 3-bay west elevation features a channelled pilaster strip balancing the stair tower, with first and second floor windows in architraves linked by cill-level band courses. The east elevation is a simple 3-bay design. The south elevation comprises 22 bays, with the ground floor adjoining the weaving shed. A small open pediment dated 1861 balances a hoist at the 14th bay, later raised for a motor and clad in corrugated iron. The hipped slate roof features skylights and original ventilators. Original 10-paned top-hopper windows remain.

Internally, the mill is fireproof in construction. Two rows of cast-iron columns with bulbous capitals support cast-iron beams with wrought-iron ties, brick arches and stone slab floors. A central beam engine house rises through three floors with heavy masonry foundations at ground floor. Lengthwise cast-iron beams at first floor accommodate the engine beams, with a hole later floored over. The second floor ceiling is carried on large composite cast-iron girders with wrought-iron tie-rods. One bay to each side forms gearing rooms. The third and attic floors are uninterrupted. The attic has two rows of cast-iron columns with bell capitals carrying lengthwise wooden beams tensioned by wrought-iron rods. The north aisle was later strengthened with wood and wrought-iron ties.

The West Factory adjoins the south wall of the mill, dating from 1861. This single-storey weaving shed has a symmetrical 10-window west elevation with roll-moulded band course on a rusticated base. The advanced end bays have rusticated pilasters and two arched windows in architraves with aprons and nailhead mouldings. Six central windows are in architraves; two have been altered for a modern loading door. The south and east elevations are blank with cornices. The building has south-lit double-pitched piended slate roofs. A later 2-storey and attic loading bay to the south has a wide gable to Taylor's Lane, with bipartite and central arched door. The interior is of timber construction. The factory uses an unusual fireproof design of wrought-iron Polonceau trusses with wide spans along valleys achieved by wrought-iron tension rods between columns with bulbous capitals. Decorative iron ventilators are present. The north wall is corniced with arched entrances to the eastern section of the High Mill.

The Old Mechanics' shop and packing room lies between the eastern section of the High Mill and the offices, dating from 1861. This single-storey structure has a corniced blank east elevation to Taylor's Lane. The west elevation is pilastered with a large arched door to the original loading bay and steps to the office with an arched door. A cornice tops the elevation. Five piended north-lit slate roofs cover the building. Internally, it features iron columns and a cusped cast-iron roof with pendants.

The Boiler House stands in the yard north of the High Mill, a single-storey rubble structure from 1861. Its south elevation has a cornice on pilasters with partial later brick infilling. Three piended slate roofs cover it, two now replaced with corrugated material. The interior features elegant curved cast-iron spans on cast-iron columns.

The Offices were built in the later 19th century in an L-plan. The main block is 2-storey with a platform roof and courtyard clock. A small wing links the office to Mill No 1. The east elevation has five bays with an arched keystoned cart entry and bipartite window above. A large wall-head stack is present. Original sash and case windows remain, except in the showroom.

No 1 Low Mill dates from 1851 and is now known as the Weaver's Shop. It is a 2-storey and attic structure of 3-by-8-bay dimensions. The east gable is 3-bay with windows in the margins and two windows with an oculus in the attic, topped with a flat-topped finial. The 2-storey south elevation has blocked engine-house windows. The north elevation has blocked ground floor with a later brick lift tower. The west elevation is harled and blocked where the mill adjoined No 2 Mill, now demolished. A slate roof covers the structure. Internally, it contains iron columns, wooden floors and wooden roof.