The Firestone Tyre Factory on the Great West Road in Brentford in west London was an example of Art Deco architecture designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners. Built on a 26-acre site, it opened in October 1928.[1][2]
| Firestone Tyre Factory | |
|---|---|
 1963 view of the factory | |
  Location within Greater London | |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Brentford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Destroyed | August 1980 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Wallis, Gilbert and Partners |
The company announced in November 1979 that it would close the factory.[3][4]
After its purchase by Trafalgar House PLC, the building was demolished during the August 1980 bank holiday weekend, reportedly in anticipation of its becoming listed.[5][6] The Twentieth Century Society call the structure their "first serious case" and say that its destruction[7]
[...] focussed public attention on the necessity for greater protection for 20th century buildings and led directly to the listing of 150 examples of inter-war architecture (including Battersea Power Station) by the government.
The gates, piers and railings fencing the site received a Grade II listing in 2001.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "25 years on - the end of Firestone (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)". Richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (1928-10-17). "FIRESTONE, IN AKRON, ADDRESSES LONDONERS - Tire Manufacturer Uses Radio for Speech at Opening of New Factory. - Article - NYTimes.com". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ "Firestone Plans Cuts in Europe". 1979-11-15.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company Ltd, said today that it would discontinue operations at its Brentford, Middlesex, plant within the next three [...]
- ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - Firestone to Cut European Output". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1979-11-15. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ Fiona MacCarthy (2004-11-20). "Grand designs | Art and design". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ "'Erotic gherkin' company has 'form'".
Trafalgar House used to own the Firestone Building on Western Avenue. Two days before the building was to be listed, it flattened that, too.
- ^ "About us — The Twentieth Century Society". C20society.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ "Central Gates, Gate Piers and Railings to the Former Firestone Factory - Hounslow - Greater London - England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
Central gates, gate piers and railngs to the former Firestone Factory. 1928 by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners.
External links
- http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2001/firestone_factory/
- http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw025229
- http://brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk/local-history/buildings/the-firestone-factory/
- http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/brentford/index50.shtml
51°29′5.9″N 0°19′18.7″W / 51.484972°N 0.321861°W
Category:Art Deco architecture in London Category:Grade II listed buildings in London