NEW EXPLORE<NEW HOPE
Again I find myself streaking down the Queens highway with all speed and commitment- late for a rendezvous with the unshakable Clebby. Whats the old dog got lined up for today? After a few recent failures I need a result. And he doesn't disappoint.
CONFUSING LAYOUT,CONFUSING HISTORY
I couldn't make head nor tail of the layout whilst there, its confusing because its actually three different properties, of different styles, knocked into one. And made up of, at one time, three different buisnesses - George Cadby & Sons, jewellers, J.Ashford & Sons, jewellers and Frosts Electroplaters, who brought out everyone and two further properties, not jewellers. Confused? So am I,and im writing this.
History is very sparse, suprisingly seeing how they've been in the jewellery quarter for a century but Ashford & Sons started in 1842 as a 'gift toy' maker in Lionel St. In 1912 they moved into the property here,designed by Arthur McKewan. Somewhere along the way they brought out rival company Cadby's and finally closed in 1980.
Along came Frosts who do anodizing, electroplating gold and silver etc. They have just moved to a brand new building taking their 35 staff with them.
There are five properties concerned, totalling 50'000 sq ft but only 33'000 was actual usable working space,when you see the building for yourself you can see the wasted space and problems they must have had. Not to mention car parking for just 10 staff,van deliveries,forklifts having to cross the pavements,chemical storage,extraction etc.
The properties are the Asfords building, grade 2 listed, the Gt Hampton St 1970's block, the Harford building, the Noel building and Cadbys old building.
All suitably bored now, we can move on to the explore.
Storage tray used as rainwater butt
Remember these?
Lovely old sink,too nice to leave
The old water tanks
Cold,damp,broken windows-gives no hint what lies beyond a normal panel door..
The office space gives another stylish clue
Totally original,totally unmolested sales booths
Behind the stained glass doors are 4 individual customer booths...
...with remote door opener on the sales counter for each door
More of the stunning stairs and glazed tiling
Described as ' an 80's prostitutes boudoir'
Polished stone,brass handrails and switches,this was a quality building
Nice warm feet desk
Not something you see very often nowadays
Happy workers,yesterday.
Everyone loves a happy ending,so to speak,and I certainly had mine. From an uninspiring start this place graciously beckons you in and keeps suprising. It was like walking back in time. Somewhere like this should survive forever,its pure history. And thanks to Cleb,for the lesson.
Thanks for looking.
Again I find myself streaking down the Queens highway with all speed and commitment- late for a rendezvous with the unshakable Clebby. Whats the old dog got lined up for today? After a few recent failures I need a result. And he doesn't disappoint.
CONFUSING LAYOUT,CONFUSING HISTORY
I couldn't make head nor tail of the layout whilst there, its confusing because its actually three different properties, of different styles, knocked into one. And made up of, at one time, three different buisnesses - George Cadby & Sons, jewellers, J.Ashford & Sons, jewellers and Frosts Electroplaters, who brought out everyone and two further properties, not jewellers. Confused? So am I,and im writing this.
History is very sparse, suprisingly seeing how they've been in the jewellery quarter for a century but Ashford & Sons started in 1842 as a 'gift toy' maker in Lionel St. In 1912 they moved into the property here,designed by Arthur McKewan. Somewhere along the way they brought out rival company Cadby's and finally closed in 1980.
Along came Frosts who do anodizing, electroplating gold and silver etc. They have just moved to a brand new building taking their 35 staff with them.
There are five properties concerned, totalling 50'000 sq ft but only 33'000 was actual usable working space,when you see the building for yourself you can see the wasted space and problems they must have had. Not to mention car parking for just 10 staff,van deliveries,forklifts having to cross the pavements,chemical storage,extraction etc.
The properties are the Asfords building, grade 2 listed, the Gt Hampton St 1970's block, the Harford building, the Noel building and Cadbys old building.
All suitably bored now, we can move on to the explore.
Storage tray used as rainwater butt
Remember these?
Lovely old sink,too nice to leave
The old water tanks
Cold,damp,broken windows-gives no hint what lies beyond a normal panel door..
The office space gives another stylish clue
Totally original,totally unmolested sales booths
Behind the stained glass doors are 4 individual customer booths...
...with remote door opener on the sales counter for each door
More of the stunning stairs and glazed tiling
Described as ' an 80's prostitutes boudoir'
Polished stone,brass handrails and switches,this was a quality building
Nice warm feet desk
Not something you see very often nowadays
Happy workers,yesterday.
Everyone loves a happy ending,so to speak,and I certainly had mine. From an uninspiring start this place graciously beckons you in and keeps suprising. It was like walking back in time. Somewhere like this should survive forever,its pure history. And thanks to Cleb,for the lesson.
Thanks for looking.
