The Goldthread Works was a conversion of a Victorian art deco factory in the heart of Preston’s Avenham conservation area providing terraced housing and apartments.
The Goldthread Works was of major importance to the history and heritage of the city. Home since 1842 of local firm Stephen Simpson Limited it produced gold thread and embroidery for military and commercial uniforms. Work included thread that decorated the uniforms of the Titanic staff. During the war the firm undertook a top secret commission to produce German military badges and insignia for use by English spies operating in Germany.
Grade 2 listed buildings form a significant element of the Avenham conservation area. The conservation area comprises a Georgian and Victorian residential district arranged around a central park area and contains many listed residential properties of which this is one.
The nature of the existing building resulted in bespoke design solutions for many of the apartments, maximising the opportunities presented by the original factory buildings and included exposed timber and metal roof trusses, sand-blasted brickwork and retained pine flooring. Restoration of the historic features required extensive collaboration with specialist sub-contractors and suppliers.
Naturally, due to the character and quality of these apartments they sold extremely well and continue to be highly sought after on the limited occasions they are available for sale in the resale market.