Murrays' Mills is a substantial 19th century mill complex in Ancoats Manchester, acknowledged as a site of national significance. It was an urban steam powered cotton spinning factory constructed between 1798 and 1806. The buildings remained in textile production until the late 1950?s from which time they declined in use and condition. The Mills embody two hundred years of history and retain evidence of each stage of the technical development of spinning in the 19th century. The long term objective was to upgrade and renew the mills to a condition from which a developer could take them over and with minor modifications convert them for a modern sustainable use. BDP was commissioned to lead a refurbishment project to repair the historic structure and fabric whilst making the shell suitable for modern use as office space and residential apartments. Detailed analysis revealed the true nature and extent of structural inadequacy, ranging from an absence of foundations to undersized components and an overall lack of stability. Using best conservation practice an approach was devised to enable the historic fabric to function to its optimum level. Shortcomings in structural performance were met by the provision of discrete new structural elements. All repairs and interventions in the buildings were sensitively designed taking into account the age and history of the buildings. Extensive consultations with English Heritage, the HLF monitor, Manchester Building Control and the client ensured that interventions were sympathetic, appropriate and reversible.