Breathing New Life into an Historic Nairn Building
In the heart of Nairn, the previously vacant ‘Italianate’ historic building has been given a new purpose as a welcoming coworking and meeting space for local businesses, freelancers and remote workers.
Highland Fox Hub was created by Cath and Stuart Fox, founders of local design and renovation business Highland Fox. The project brought together their experience in design, construction and project management with a desire to create somewhere they themselves would have wanted to work: a professional but relaxed space where people could work productively, meet others and feel connected to the local business community.
The result is a flexible workspace designed around the people who use it, with thoughtful space planning, natural materials, practical furniture and details inspired by Nairn’s coastal and Highland setting.
A building with a new purpose
Cath and Stuart had regularly walked past the building on Courthouse Lane and had long admired its character and prominent position in the town.
When the opportunity arose to take possession of the former council building, they could see its potential not only as a place to work, but as an opportunity to bring a disused building back into everyday use.
The project has been a significant renovation, with the building carefully adapted to create a contemporary workspace while retaining its sense of history and connection to Nairn.
For Cath, the starting point was always practical.
Highland Fox’s philosophy is built around creating “Spaces That Work”, and that approach shaped the Hub from the very beginning. The layout, furniture, lighting and finishes were all considered in terms of how people would actually use the space.
“We wanted somewhere that felt professional but not corporate,” explains Cath. “It needed to be somewhere people could come and work comfortably, but also somewhere that encouraged people to connect. And because we’re in Nairn, it was important that the space felt rooted here rather than looking like it could be anywhere.”
Designed for contemporary working
The main coworking space provides ten dedicated workstations, three with sit-stand desks, as well as informal seating and areas for collaboration. The open plan nature provides an environment to match how most people like to work.
Ergonomic seating, convenient power, natural light and good connectivity were all included as part of the design. the layout allows space between workstations and provides different environments for different types of work.
Much of the furniture was built by Stuart, an experienced joiner, allowing the dimensions and details to be tailored specifically to the building and the way the space would be used.
The meeting room provides a more private setting for client meetings, team catch-ups, workshops and focused work, while the wider Hub offers a flexible alternative to working from home or travelling further afield.
The intention is simple: to create a workspace that is practical enough to support productive work, but warm and welcoming enough that people actually want to spend time there.
Local design, materials and specialist skills
The interior takes much of its inspiration from Nairn’s landscape.
A soft, natural palette, timber, textured finishes and references to the nearby dunes, river and coast help connect the contemporary workspace with its surroundings.
Lighting was particularly important in defining the different areas with a carefully selected combination of fittings giving each part of the Hub its own character.
The kitchen area was approached in a similar way. Rather than creating a high-end or bespoke “designer kitchen”, Highland Fox worked with a standard kitchen retailer and collaborated with local specialists to introduce carefully considered finishes and details.
The aim was to demonstrate what can be achieved through good design, thoughtful material choices and collaboration with skilled local trades — ideas that can be applied to ordinary spaces and budgets rather than being limited to one-off, high-specification projects.
That approach reflects the wider Highland Fox ethos: good design should be practical, affordable and relevant to the way people actually live and work.
A workspace shaped by its community
Since opening, the Hub has welcomed a broad mix of people and businesses.
Coworking desks are available by the half day or full day with access to the shared facilities.
Some use it as an alternative to working from home; others book a desk for a focused day of work, while the meeting room provides a professional setting for client appointments, workshops, team meetings and collaborative sessions.
The Hub is also well suited to people visiting Nairn who need somewhere to work while they are in the area, as well as those who need a quiet, professional environment for study or focused work.
For small businesses and freelancers, the Hub also provides an opportunity to work alongside others, make connections and become part of a local business community — without the commitment or cost of having a dedicated office.
The membership package is designed to attract early adopters and help build a professional community. At only £10 per month, a member will receive a reduced desk rate (20% off) and discounted meeting room bookings, perfect for keeping things flexible and affordable.
“We wanted to create somewhere that could work for lots of different people and different types of work,” says Cath. “Whether you need a desk for a few hours, somewhere to meet a client, a quiet place to concentrate or simply a change of scene from working at home, the Hub is designed to be flexible.”
The Hub also provides a growing directory and network for local businesses, freelancers and professionals, creating opportunities for people to discover what others in the area do and make new connections.
From renovation project to working community
For Cath and Stuart, seeing the building being used again has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project.
“It’s been a big project, but seeing people actually using the space makes it all worthwhile. We wanted to create somewhere that felt like it belonged in Nairn, and it’s been brilliant to see the Hub starting to become part of the local business community.”
The Hub is also designed to evolve. As its community grows and the needs of its users become clearer, the remaining areas of the building will be developed to complement the existing workspace and incorporate Highland Fox’s design studio.
For now, the Highland Fox Hub offers a flexible place to work, meet and connect — bringing new life to an important building in the centre of Nairn while creating a space designed firmly around the needs of the people who use it.
For more information about Highland Fox Hub, you can visit: https://www.highlandfoxhub.co.uk/
