Coty factory, Great West Road

Coty perfume and cosmetics factory, Great West Road – Wallis, Gilbert & Partners – 1932

Opposite the former Firestone building, this factory was used for the manufacture of Coty soaps, lipsticks, scents and creams until 1979.  It has been under scaffolding for a while and is still getting some work done inside, I look forward to it looking rather scrummy in a few months time, hopefully.

Next door to it is a new Audi centre, which, judging by an old photo I’ve seen, used to be a very lovely towered factory for Brittol Ltd and later for Admiralty Oil – massive shame it’s gone.

Alexandra Parade factory

Alexandra Parade, Glasgow – architect unknown – date unknown

Just along the road from the old Wills factory. Would love to know more about it if you’ve got any info!

Salkeld Street factory, Glasgow

Salkeld St., Glasgow - Probably James Miller – 1933

I believe this beauty of a building was originally built for Leyland Motor Co. You can see it on your left as you come into Glasgow Central Station by train. Also, I think that the concrete rendering on the columns around the entrance covers up some fancy faience – if that’s true it’d be great to see a photo of it in its original glory.  A little factoid for you: It was used as a location in Peter Capaldi’s film Strictly Sinatra.

Miscellaneous Nestles Avenue factory, Hayes

Factory, Nestle’s Ave, Hayes – architect unknown – date unknown

Hayes Cocoa (now Nestle)

Hayes Cocoa factory, now Nestle (since 1949) – Wallis, Gilbert & Partners & Truscon – 1932(?)

Problem is they won’t let anyone, let alone a mutt like, anywhere on the premises without prior arranged permission with the Nestle HR –  and I’m just not that organised, so here’s the gates. (With this tight security I wonder if they’ve got a load of Oompa Loompas working there?)

I know this next piccie isn’t deco, but it’s pretty cool – it’s the back of the Nestle factory complex that backs onto the Grand Union Canal. You can smell it for miles, and I love it!

EMI factory, Hayes

EMI/HMV factories, Hayes – Wallis, Gilbert & Partners – 1930s

Is this the HMV factory?

These railings were far too high for me to get anywhere near into shot, so very sorry I don’t feature in this photo – but I thought it would be worth you getting to see the building from a different angle.

I don’t know too much about these factory buildings I’m afraid. In fact I don’t know if the building in this bottom photo is even part of the EMI complex, but I liked it anyway so struck a pose. Part of this complex is the HMV factory, I think its the top one (and the one from other side of railway line), but please do let me know if you’ve got any more info.

The site that I think is the HMV factory is about to be developed, and the security guards very kindly let me into the site to get up close and personal to the building. They also kindly kept their blimmin’ huge guard dog away from me, which was good because it was too early in  the morning for a fight.

Curry’s factory – 991 Great West Road

The Curry’s factory / 991 Great West Road – 1936 – F E Simkins

main entrance to Curry's factory

Pickles at former Curry's factory

Restored by Foster and Partners between 1997 and 2000 for J C Decaux.

Great West Road – “The Golden Mile”

overlooking the (not quite so anymore) Golden Mile

Me on the foot bridge between the old Firestone Factory and the Pyrene factory.

Looking east along the ‘Golden Mile’ towards Chiswick, you can still see the former Curry’s factory, but many of the other art deco factories have gone now. You can just see the top of the new(ish) Glaxo Smith Kline HQ.

Pyrene building, ‘Golden Mile’

 

Pyrene Building, Great West Road, Brentford – 1929-30 – Wallis, Gilbert and Partners

 

Former fire extinguisher factory, opposite the Firestone Factory.

 

Pyrene factory entrance

 

Pyrene factory

India of Inchinnan

India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire – 1929 – Thomas Wallis of Wallis, Gilbert and Partners

India of Inchinnan

Built on the site of a former airship construction station, where they built the R34 airship, which made the first ever transatlantic air crossing in both directions in 1919.  The new art deco factory site was opened in 1930 and India Tyre and Rubber company operations continued there until Christmas 1981. Most of the factory site buildings were demolished in 1982 and these categegory A listed offices are all that remain of the original. A very good looking extension was added to the rear in 2004 by Gibb Architects, and now as HQ of Graham Technology it makes me a very happy old mutt to see the site thriving again!

     

More Botanic Gardens Garage photos

Just a few more piccies for you whilst I decide what I really think about the plans for the redevelopment of the garage into flats… (see my last post for more info)

  

Am I howling in despair or pensive contemplation of the plans?

 

 

This one is my favourite.  I think this should qualify my membership of the Handlebar Club.