Overlooking Blandford Square, West Blandford Street, Newcastle, can be found Blandford House, presently the home of the city’s 'Discovery Museum'. Built in 1899 as the HQ for the Northern Region of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, it was as big a status symbol as could possibly have been dreamt up by its creators. Hosting offices, sale rooms, a function suite and, of course, expansive warehouse space, it was designed by Newcastle-based architects Oliver, Leeson & Wood. It cannot easily be categorised as conforming to a particular architectural style, but perhaps could be classed loosely as ‘Queen Anne’.
One of the city’s most striking, yet underrated, structures, it offers an attractively-ornate red brick demeanour, with sandstone and terracotta trimmings. The building has a Lakeland slate roof with copper domes/cupolas (now characteristically green), and comprises four floors and a two-storey attic. A high-level balcony neatly demarcates the upper floor from the distinctive attic/roofline - the very upper reaches housing the splendid Great Hall, which was restored to spectacular effect in 1999.
The Co-op moved out in 1977 and the building became a museum shortly thereafter - which was itself relaunched as the ‘Discovery Museum’ in 1993, followed by a multi-million pound facelift in the early 2000s. Originally, the structure had a large and deep central courtyard (now roofed), and had, quite obviously, a huge amount of warehouse space. It was a high-spec construction, with walnut panelling, marble staircases, a directors’ suite, Art Deco light fittings and the odd stained glass window. The original tiled toilets, too, were/are especially stunning, though are now, I think, closed to the public. Much of the existing internal decor dates from a 1930s revamp.
As well as being home to the large and rambling Discovery Museum (scattered over several floors!), Blandford House has for many years been the home of the Tyne & Wear Archives Service, and also houses the HQ of the Tyne & Wear Museum Service. There has been some speculation over the future of all the building’s current occupants, with a major move being mooted.
The future of Blandford House is seemingly guaranteed, though, as the building is Grade II Listed. Full ‘official’ details, complete with all the complex architectural terminology, can be found here.
No comments:
Post a Comment