Over 40 members of the local business community enjoyed drinks, canapes and a wine tasting session on Thursday 27th November to celebrate the official launch of the newly refurbished and rebranded historic business offices at 64a Athol Street, known as St James’s Chambers.
The project started in July this year and saw the nineteenth century building undergo a substantial change in layout, with the first floor offices being opened up to provide a single open plan floor in what was previously configured as two separate buildings. The conversion to provide a modern, stylish office suite of approximately 2,700 sq ft has been achieved whilst retaining the historical character and features of the property. “
Although its origins are unclear, the name of St. James has been associated with the building since it first opened for business in the mid-1800s. St James’s emblem was the scallop, which pilgrims often wore on their hats and coats and which fittingly informs the new logo for the premises. St James’s Chambers has been a permanent fixture of the Island’s business district almost since the Island first truly opened for business in the late 1700s. Fuelled by the boom in international trade and the birth of the affluent merchant classes, by 1784 the population of Douglas had expanded from approximately 800 in 1710 to 2,500 residents, compared to today’s population of close to 28,000.
Athol Street played a prominent role in the expansion of Douglas as large houses of the Georgian style, designed by architect John Taggart, began to dominate the centre. St James’s Chambers began life as a ‘dwelling house, garden and premises’ and formed part of the blueprint for Athol Street as we know it today. The property has since been used as a noted residence, accommodated a town shop known as the Bazaar, become a furniture sales room and auction house and, at the turn of the nineteenth century acted as a popular venue for poetry readings, dances and community meetings. Since 1987, the building has been used as offices and it was acquired by Nigel and Jon McGowan in 2008, almost 200 years after it was built.
Sue McGowan, who, as Managing Director of St James’s Chambers, led the project commented “working on older buildings is always a challenge but we had excellent support from David Baxter of Progeny, Tim Foster of TDF Renovation, Mark Gelling decorators, Magic Carpets and Tom Chapman of Chapman & Co. When it came to creating the new branding for St James’s Chambers, we worked closely with Tony Garland of Heads Up Design who was supported by Cannell Print, Dolls Factory, Krafty Keepsakes and we mustn’t forget to mention the Manx Museum for assistance with research and providing archive imagery. For the launch event we need to thank the Wine Cellar, Genesis Gallery, ELS lighting and Alexander Nurseries and we are pleased to be able to donate ?400 to Manx Cancer Help this evening through proceeds, matched by St. James’s Chambers from the auctioned case of wine. The project has been a great challenge but very interesting and I’m pleased to say very well received by those who joined us for the launch event”
At the launch event Nigel McGowan addressed the guests to convey the extent and nature of the project and explained, “This has been a significant investment for us, but we believe that while the Island’s economic climate remains challenging, it’s vitally important that Douglas has a vibrant central business district to attract business to the island and therefore investment by landlords, Government and other stakeholders is very important.”
Alf Cannan MHK, who was also in attendance, commented: “The regeneration of the Island’s central commercial district needs to strike a delicate balance between the preservation of our commercial heritage and the modernisation of our infrastructure and facilities and this project shows just how well that can be done. The St James’s Chambers team have set a benchmark for quality and demonstrated the vital role of the Island’s business leaders in helping shape our economic future. Huge congratulations are in order for all involved.”
Photo - Jon, Sue and Nigel McGowan
