GRAS was commissioned by Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust to prepare a conservation statement and feasibility study for Rosefield Mills, a Category B-listed nineteenth-century former tweed mill prominently located near Dumfries town centre. The building features a grand Venetian palazzo-style façade overlooking the banks of the River Nith but has remained empty and unused for many years.

Building upon previous studies and reports, GRAS’s work focuses on exploring viable options for repair and adaptive reuse that prioritise the conservation and retention of the existing fabric. Initial draft proposals have been prepared and issued for review and comment. These documents assess the building’s significance, identify the challenges it faces, and outline a concept for re-use based on a ‘festival tent’ approach—a large, open, and flexible space designed to accommodate a variety of community, cultural, retail, and commercial activities.

Photography by Martin Kerr and Natasha Huq.