The Firestone tyre factory – Great West Road – London – 1928 - Wallis Gilbert & Partners
Demolished in 1980, I believe on the day before a preservation order was due to come into effect (although this could be a local myth?), all that’s left are the boundary wall and entrances. THe rest of the site is now home to Sky Broadcasting and a delightful PC World.
And here is the main entrance in it former glory. - Heartbreaking!
If you want to break your heart a little more, this site has a few extra photos of the factory before and as it was knocked down: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2001/firestone_factory/
September 3, 2008 at 11:25 pm |
Yes it was true about the demolition. It made national news the day after. I was rather fond of the factory, and as a child I was thrilled at the sight of dozens of illuminated Christmas trees they used to put up each year.
I was going to photograph the factory after it closed, and before they took down the ‘Firestone’ signs. The demolition men beat me to it. There hardly seems to be any decent photos of it in all it’s splendour.
October 28, 2008 at 5:10 pm |
I took some photos on the day (Sunday) that this beautiful factory was being demolished. Although it was on an extremely busy main road everyone else seemed to just pass by without noticing the destruction that was taking place. It still makes me sad looking at those photos.
October 28, 2008 at 5:41 pm |
It makes me sad too… But I’d love to see your photos G.
Mr P :-(
October 31, 2008 at 8:09 pm |
Hi Mr P. Feel free to email me if you are interested in the photos and i can send them to you.
April 3, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
I wish I’d seen this building. It looks magnificent. I read about it last year, hadn’t realised that the Trafalgar House philistines had destroyed it.
August 11, 2009 at 10:36 pm |
If I recall rightly about the demolition, they did get a preservation order when the Easter Bank Holiday was comming up, and when it required someone in authority in the local council to sign it, they’d gone home early. Without that signature to stop the contractors, over the Bank Holiday the building was thus demolished.
September 28, 2009 at 8:46 pm |
Wondeful building, like many 1920’s and 1930’s industrial buildings which have long since gone. A great tragedy!