A little history,
Customs House (Left) was built in 1897 for the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company, funded by Emily Talbot. Customs house passed to local authority ownership for its last years, and was in use as social services offices.
Adjoining Royal Buildings (right) were built a little later, in the early 1900's this building consisted of shopfronts to the ground floor, two floors of offices, and a theater/cinema at the back, this theater burned down in the 1930's (supposedly showing the film "The Firefly"). All that remains of this theater is an area at the rearm and part of the roof gable. A printers was constructed on the site.
Customs house has been vacant for around 2 years, Royal Buildings has been largely vacant for the last 15 years, the remainder of the shops moved out in early 2011.
Both buildings are set for demolition in the next few weeks, to be replaced by 46 flats, and some commercial units. I was kindly allowed to have a look around and document the building by the developers.
Customs House:
Royal Buildings:
Customs House (Left) was built in 1897 for the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company, funded by Emily Talbot. Customs house passed to local authority ownership for its last years, and was in use as social services offices.
Adjoining Royal Buildings (right) were built a little later, in the early 1900's this building consisted of shopfronts to the ground floor, two floors of offices, and a theater/cinema at the back, this theater burned down in the 1930's (supposedly showing the film "The Firefly"). All that remains of this theater is an area at the rearm and part of the roof gable. A printers was constructed on the site.
Customs house has been vacant for around 2 years, Royal Buildings has been largely vacant for the last 15 years, the remainder of the shops moved out in early 2011.
Both buildings are set for demolition in the next few weeks, to be replaced by 46 flats, and some commercial units. I was kindly allowed to have a look around and document the building by the developers.
Customs House:
Royal Buildings: