A DERELICT mill on the edge of Huddersfield town centre is set for a major revamp.
Developers plan to transform Folly Hall Mills into 60,000sq ft of modern offices.
The mill, which dates back to 1822, is a grade two listed building.
But it has been empty for more than 10 years and is in desperate need of repair.
The property, which stands next to the River Colne near the junction of Folly Hall and St Thomas' Road, has been bought by Dewsbury-based Bradbury Investments.
The company says it hopes to begin full renovation in August with completion at the end of summer 2007. Detailed design work will start later this month.
Project director Paul Bailey said: "This will be a tremendous development for Huddersfield.
"It will involve significant regeneration of the riverside area, create new employment opportunities and raise the profile of Huddersfield as a major office destination in the region."
Mr Bailey said Leeds architects HMA would begin the detailed design work later this month before putting a planning application before Kirklees Council.
The scheme will include an impressive steel and glass tower linking the main mill building and a second building on the site with the mill's old engine house to create a single office building with underground parking.
Peter Barton, business development director at HMA, said: "This development provides a wonderful opportunity to create a significantly improved presence in this area of Huddersfield.
"The juxtaposition of the new five-storey glazed link with the existing stone buildings enables the design to make maximum use of a grand scale which can be enjoyed by pedestrians entering and passing the site and with the added benefit of a riverside location."
Property agents Eddisons and Michael Steel & Co have been appointed joint agents to promote the scheme.
Eddisons director Matthew Scholey said: "A number of prestigious schemes are being proposed for the centre of Huddersfield.
"Folly Hall will be the first to deliver the high-quality yet characterful accommodation preferred by many modern businesses and organisations."
Alec Michael, of Michael Steel & Co, said: "We are already aware of a number of positive enquiries from both local and regional companies for substantial space in the scheme.
"Given the lack of similar high- quality office space close to the town centre, we have no doubt that this development will be extremely successful."
Development of the mill would complement a separate Waterfront Quarter scheme overlooking Folly Hall Mills.
That scheme would transform a 12-acre triangle of industrial land bordered by Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne to offices, apartments, shops and parking, public squares, a new canal basin and a tree-lined riverside walk.
Sellers Engineering plans to move from the site to new premises.
