Landmark Waterfront House in Ipswich to become new visitor attraction
We are delighted to share that our client, Baylight Properties, has acquired Waterfront House from Colwyn Developments. Renowned for their high quality renovations and developments, this prime property will benefit from Baylight’s expertise in enhancing the quality and appeal.
Ipswich waterfront has undergone comprehensive regeneration in recent years, with a series of large-scale residential developments and a vibrant mix of restaurants, bars and cafes dotted along the water’s edge, overlooking the marina. The area is also home to Dance East’s Jerwood Dance House and University of Suffolk.
Recently awarded a £2.38m Towns Fund grant, Baylight’s vision is to create ‘At Home with Clay’, with planning permission being sought to create a unique new visitor attraction in Ipswich that will celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary clay objects we use in our homes today.
Visitors will be taken on an interactive journey to discover clay all around us, in bricks and pipes, cooking pots and crockery, and ornaments and artworks. The displays will be interactive and tactile, with many designed to be touched and people will get the opportunity to work with clay and express their creativity, as part of their visit.
Crispin Kelly, CEO of Baylight Properties commented “Waterfront House was originally a fine Victorian warehouse and is a key element of Ipswich’s historic quayside. Although converted to offices in the 1980’s it has been standing empty since the most recent occupier vacated in 2023. We have been looking for the best way to bring it back to life in order to support the ongoing regeneration of the waterfront and, more generally, Ipswich town centre.”
Crispin went on to add “There are going to be a series of spaces, some of which will be domestic in nature, and some will double or triple the height exhibition spaces. There will be a combination of objects that you can hold and play with visual and audio entertainment, plus lots of other amazing stuff to explore!”
At Home with Clay will breathe life into this empty 19th century warehouse built of local brick, where ships once exported wheat and barley grown on Suffolk’s clay-rich soil. It will contribute to the regeneration of Ipswich’s waterfront and, more widely, the town’s cultural offer helping to improve the overall economy.
Alistair Mitchell, Partner at Fenn Wright commented “Securing the right building for this fascinating project took time, but it has been rewarding to work for clients with such vision, passion, and commitment. This exciting venture is expected to be highly successful for Baylight and a valuable investment in Ipswich and the community.”