Gareth Neill speaking to UAH members at Portview Trade Centre.

Two of Belfast’s former industrial buildings were the focus of the Society’s July event. Constructed in the 20th century, but 50 years apart, both the former Strand Spinning Mill, built in 1911, (the now listed Portview Trade Centre) and Brown’s, (the former brown’s Warehouse), built in 1951, still stand proudly, but with different uses to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Starting with a visit to the vast former mill, attendees marvelled at the vast spaces on each level where hints of the building’s former use are still much in evidence and carefully preserved.

Huge thanks to Gareth Neill, Operations Director of Portview, for giving us such a fascinating tour of the very striking interior of the former mill, for telling us about the history of the building and for explaining the plans for its future.

After our visit to Portview, we went into the adjacent building at Brown’s, formerly used as a storage warehouse, to see how, following its save from demolition, the unlisted building has been successfully re-purposed for modern business use. Leading our tour was Paul Elliott, UAH Committee member and architect in charge of the project. Paul outlined the many challenges of the restoration, not least the huge quantity of asbestos that required safe removal and disposal from areas of roofing. Particularly commendable, and adding to the interior’s cool vibe, is the way original exterior windows have been re-used internally as room dividers while maintaining maximum light. After tea and coffee in the boardroom, attendees got a breath-taking bird’s-eye view of neighbouring iconic landmarks from the building’s rooftop.

Very many thanks to Paul for hosting a very enjoyable tour of Brown’s and to Emma Mathers for assisting on the evening.

Reminders of Portview’s former use.

A half- open door at Portview gives a glimpse of some of the many rows of supporting pillars and beams of the vast former mill.

Paul Elliott and UAH members in front of the former Brown’s Warehouse

Former exterior windows at Brown’s repurposed for interior use as room dividers.

Published: 21st August, 2026