Growing success has allowed a team of architects to expand its office space inside one of Bradford's oldest buildings.

GLR has just completed a move from the lower wing of the Paper Hall, in Anne Gate, to the much larger upper wing of the Grade II listed building.

The expansion comes after the company secured major contracts and exceeded a £1 million fee turnover for the first time in the last financial year.

The larger upper wing of Paper Hall, built in 1642, was occupied by property agent Eddisons until two years ago when the company moved its Bradford operation to Caspian House, Little Germany.

The moves mean the lower wing of Paper Hall is now available for tenants seeking an office described as a little out of the ordinary.

Jonathan O'Connor, of Eddisons, which is seeking tenants on behalf of the Paper Hall Company, said: "The paper hall boasts virtually 400 years of heritage but was refurbished in the 1990s to cope with the demands of modern business."

The prominent building, which overlooks the city's inner ring road, was home to industrialist James Garnett from 1794 until his death in 1829. Many credit Garnett with bringing the industrial revolution to Bradford by installing spinning machines in the hall.

GLR Architects, which has spent £45,000 upgrading facilities before moving into the upper wing, has been in Bradford 15 years having originally been based in Headingley.

The company now has 18 staff, including the four partners, compared to just ten when it first arrived in Bradford.

Roger Lambert, partner in GLR, said: "We had outgrown the lower wing.

"We are recognised as specialists in the design of public swimming pools and we are consulted by Sport England. We are handling lots of major projects across the country."

He said the company had been appointed to work on a £15 million scheme to build a public swimming pool in Wolverhampton and had won a competition to design a £16 million new pool and ice rink near Nottingham.

GLR is also designing a massive £15 million facility for the army at Catterick Garrison, which will include three swimming pools, a sports hall with room for 500 spectators and a public library. The facility will be open to the public as well as the army.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk