Description

The Sail Loft together with the adjoining Commercial Hotel, was declared surplus to requirements by the present owners, the Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission, and featured on the Buildings at Risk Register. A feasibility study was undertaken by the Trust to investigate the repair and re-use of the buildings, which concluded that e-commerce/general office use represented the most viable option for the future of the building.

Project

Finding a genuinely sustainable new use, which is compatible with these buildings was a major challenge, and the eventual solution involved conversion to residential units for sale on the open market on a revolving fund basis. The project kick-started further regeneration across Stornoway, with repairs being undertaken to neighbouring buildings and environmental improvements to the harbour area.

Design Team

Law and Dunbar-Nasmith	Architects
Compass Management Resource Partnership	Business Planners
Torrance Partnership	Surveyors
Peter Stephen and Partners	Structural Engineers
Buro Happold	Service Engineers

Funding

The Trust appreciate the assistance given towards the costs of the feasibility study from the following bodies: Architectural Heritage Fund, Western Isles Enterprise, Western Isles Council and Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission.

Funding was secured from the following organisations:

• Architectural Heritage Fund