Old Tay Works: Old Mill, 25, Brown Street, Dundee

Old Mill: Circa 1833-36 1-2- and 3-storey and attic iron framed flax mill, rubble-built, consisting of: (a) 1834-6 3-storey and attic 10-bay mill with 3-bay gable to Brown St. Gable with hoist door at 2nd floor and 2 windows in attic. Projecting 1-by 2-bay stair and hoist doors with pedimented gable, oculus and the base of a small bellcote at E. Windows in N elevation blocked, others are multi-paned sash and case, some with original hoist doors. Tall engine house attached to E gable with 2 round-headed windows each to N and S, 1 with larger door inserted for replacement of engine. (b) W wing circa 1836, 3 storey with smaller attic, 7 bays to Brown St and blank S gable with skewputts and flat-topped finial. Windows 4-paned casement to Brown St and multi-paned sash and case to rear. (c) 1849-51 2-storey batching house forms U-plan with mill. Walls partially hidden by later concrete external stairs. Piended roof. Court roofed in 1860s with kingpost trusses and ground floors of 2- and 3-storey blocks is carried on stout flanged iron colonnades. 1- storey batching shed with piended roof added to S, circa 1889-91. Slate roofs.

Originally known as "Hospital Ward Mill". Wm Boyack was the biggest flax spinner in Dundee in 1836 but bankrupt in 1842. His mills lay empty for 7 years until bought by Gilroy Brothers and Co. Tay Works. After the Coffin Mill, this is the biggest pre-1850 mill in Dundee, with a particularly interesting interior, similar to that at Pitalpin Mill. Contains 19th century foundry patterns. The West Mill, Engine House and Chimney closely relate to the Tay Works Lochee Road front. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

January 2009: External inspection suggests that the Old Mill is only partially occupied on the ground floor. The windows on the upper storeys of the north elevation are either bricked up or covered with boarding. There are several broken panes visible on the upper storeys of the east elevation and most of the window frames on the Brown Street elevation are empty and are boarded up from behind. A ‘To Let‘ sign is affixed to the first floor of this elevation.

February 2010: External inspection finds other than the ground floor sections in commercial use, the building remains derelict. Most windows are boarded up. Where glass survives it is often broken or cracked. The building is not weather tight.

27 November 2012: Local planners report no change at the former mill. Part of the building remains occupied.

11 May 2016: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously. Rainwater goods are blocked in places and leaking in others. One window frame is now falling in the West block. Whilst the main block roof appears in fair condition, the abutting section to the rear may be deteriorating. Risk level raised to Moderate from Low given the deterioration to windows. The complex remains partly in use.

21 June 2018: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously. More windowframes have been lost to the upper floor and a rooflight is now missing glazing. The ground floor appears to remain in use.

5 April 2024: Listed Building Consent for alterations and conversion to housing and other uses has been conditionally approved (17/00138/LBC) and a building warrant for the works activated ( 19/00274/DOM1). Moved to Restoration in Progress.