Former Ice Works

An iconic building in need of restoration & reuse

This tall, imposing building, dominating views across Newlyn harbour, is located opposite the fish market, on what was originally the waterfront before the construction of the present road known as The Strand.

Built in 1907, the Former Ice Works’ granite and brick structure incorporates remains of the earlier quay wall and a previous building (an iron foundry) visible in late 19^th century photographs.

Owned by W Stevenson & Sons Ltd since the 1970s, it continued to supply Newlyn’s fishing fleet until 2005/6, when it was replaced by a modern flake-ice works.

In 2017 the Former Ice Works was designated a Listed Building, owing to its architectural and historic importance, highlighted as:

• its striking yet functional design and character as a landmark feature central to this fishing community;
• its unaltered layout and the survival of early and mid-20^th century ice-making machinery;
• it being an important component of the expanding early 20^th century fishing industry and incorporation of earlier structures with a related function;
• the ice works site and the adjacent Gwavas Quay having been a focal point of the pilchard industry in Newlyn from the 17th to the 20^th century, made famous by the paintings of the Newlyn School of artists from the late 19^th century;
• its contribution to the historic Street-an-Nowan quarter of Newlyn, and relationship to other listed buildings.

You can read the full Listed Building description here.

Associated site – Newlyn Old Quay

Identified as potentially forming part of the Newlyn FISH Centre experience is Newlyn Old Quay. Dating from before 1435, with various later alterations, this curved quay of massive granite rubble construction encloses Newlyn’s original medieval harbour.