Domestic Finishing Mill, Anchor Thread Works, Paisley

The Domestic Finishing Mill at Anchor Thread Works in Paisley was designed by architects Woodhouse and Morley of Bradford in 1886, with additions made in 1914. This five-storey mill measures 18 by 16 bays and features a six-storey tower with two additional bays at the northeast corner. The northwest corner has two bays on each face that are set forward, while the southwest corner is rounded. The building is constructed of red brick, accented with cream brick around the window heads and bands. It has an ashlar base course and dressings, including rusticated surrounds for four round-headed entrances. The lower four floors have segmentally-headed windows, while the fifth floor has round-headed windows with ashlar impost moulding. Each floor features cill courses, and there is a cornice topped by an eight-foot high balustrade. The sixth storey of the tower mirrors the design of the fifth floor. The roof is flat, sealed with bitumen, and includes a glazed central lantern. A symmetrical double fire escape was added to the west elevation in 1911. Inside, the mill has cast-iron columns supporting steel and reinforced concrete joists, along with a central glazed well that originally had galleries extending down to the ground flat. The first and second floors were floored after 1912.