Plans lodged for redevelopment of landmark waterside building

A landmark building on Grimsby’s waterfront could be redeveloped to create office space and conference facilities under new plans.Entrepreneur and developer Tom Shutes has submitted detailed plans for the Ice Factory, which once housed the world’s largest ice-making machinery – producing up to 1,500 tonnes of ice per day.The listed building is set to be redeveloped as office, studio, and research and development space for the green maritime sector. In addition, extensive public space will create an exhibition, conference and live performance venue.The building, which was nominated by SAVE as one of the 12 ‘most endangered’ heritage sites in Europe in 2017, was acquired in its derelict state by Shutes in 2021 from ABP. He subsequently commissioned architecture practice Waugh Thistleton to masterplan the wider site and design office, conference, leisure and food and beverage space, with associated public realm and car, coach and cycle parking facilities, for the sensitive restoration of the Ice Factory.Tom Shutes said: “We have worked hard to build support for this project, and it is a significant moment for the Ice Factory. Our planning submission demonstrates our ambitions around high quality placemaking – to create a leading site for the UK’s renewable energy sector that can also contribute significantly to the town’s ongoing redevelopment. Clean energy is only going to become more important to the UK’s stated Net Zero ambitions, so we are seizing the opportunity to develop a world class campus, in effect, for the region.”Our vision has always been that The Ice Factory, which was conceived as a brilliant and radical piece of engineering in its day, should continue, 100 years later, as a home for engineering excellence and we hope to attract other like-minded businesses to join us.”Vicky Hartung, chair of the Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust, added: “Grimsby’s Ice Factory is recognised worldwide as a remarkable, and endangered, survivor of the Victorian industrial age. With great vision, Mr Shutes has brought together a project that will not only halt the deterioration of this unique building, but will be a tremendous asset for the town in years to come.”The repurposing of the Ice Factory will support the regeneration work that we and others are carrying out in the Kasbah and the Trust is particularly pleased to see the continuity of focus between the innovation of early refrigeration technology and current advances in producing renewable energy.”The Ice Factory scheme follows the submission last month for a hotel on adjacent site at Grimsby Docks, for which an international brand has signed heads of terms. leaf HOSPITALITY has also agreed terms to operate the hotel.Designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects, the hotel encompasses 161 rooms across five floors, with 40 ancillary parking spaces and will provide the main hospitality facility for those attending conferences and events at the Ice Factory.