From industrial powerhouses to creative hubs, here are five of the town’s most reimagined spaces.
1. The Old Post Office, Cornhill
The Botanist is in the former Post Office (Image: Tom Cann)
Once home to the old post office in the centre of Ipswich, this grand Victorian building on the Cornhill has been reborn as The Botanist, a foliage-filled bar and restaurant.
Original features, from high ceilings to stone detailing, now frame hanging plants, a collection of interesting decor and weekend cocktail crowds.
2. St Peter’s by the Waterfront
St Peter’s is now a music venue after being a derelict church. (Image: Newsquest)
Once a redundant medieval church on the edge of the docks, St Peter’s has been sensitively reimagined as an arts and heritage centre.
Live music, exhibitions and community events now fill a space that once stood silent.
3. DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse
DanceEast (Image: Newsquest)
Previously a dockside industrial space, this waterfront building has been reimagined into one of the UK’s leading dance centres.
With studios overlooking the marina, it’s a far cry from its utilitarian past.
4. The Hold, Waterfront
The Hold is home to Suffolk archives (Image: Supplied)
Built on the site of a former dockside warehouse area, The Hold now preserves Suffolk’s archives.
While technically a new build, it reflects the regeneration of old industrial land into a cultural landmark.
5. Ipswich Waterfront Studios and Galleries
The Gallery is one of the reimagined spaces on the waterfront. (Image: The Ipswich Society)
Across the Waterfront, former warehouses have steadily been converted into flats, studios, and galleries.
These spaces now house artists, small businesses, and cafés, breathing new life into once-derelict buildings.