Wolverhampton Art Deco Part 1
It doesn’t matter which town I happen to be visiting, I always look out for interesting buildings, with Art Deco being my favourite style to find. Sometimes it turns out that some of the most fabulous, and interesting examples are actually on your doorstep. Wolverhampton is a key case in point. A recent trip to Wolves uncovered so many fabulous and diverse examples of Art Deco buildings that this original post has stretched into two, with another trip on the agenda to photograph those that I didn’t get around to.
Wolverhampton is a fascinating city when it comes to architecture, as it has such a lot of different buildings in its city centre, including the Victorian Art Gallery and St Peter’s Church. But it is the Deco that really shines, with the glorious building that is Beatties department store the real jewel in the crown. The corner of this building, with its famous elephants, was once Burton, a brand that is still renowned for the fascinating designs of so many of it’s stores. Beatties is now House of Fraser, and so is a threatened landmark, but I really hope it continues to bring its own brand of elegance to Wolverhampton for many years to come.
Beatties Store
The Former Co Op Building
Another beautiful example of deco/modernist style. but one that is currently in a poor state of repair, is the Co Op building opposite the Grand Theatre. This building was built in 1931 and has a style that recalls the passenger liners of the era, with porthole style windows. It may be returned to its previous glory soon, as there are stories that it is about to be turned into a Wetherspoon’s hotel and museum.
Fingers crossed.
Express and Star Building
The Wolverhampton Express and Star building is locally listed and was built in 1934. It has two wings and a central bay, which has an exquisite sculpture of Mercury as a centrepiece. I love this building on Queen Street, it stands out as beautifully modern on a street that is full of Georgian buildings, and its stunning clock is almost a mix of Deco and Nouveau.
Former Odeon Building
Odeon cinemas were renowned for their glorious designs, mainly in an Art Deco style by Harry Weedon. Many have unfortunately been demolished, been Wolverhampton’s majestic cinema is still intact, albeit now in a different guise as an Asian banqueting suite. It was built in 1937 and is almost a perfect example of an Odeon, a truly magnificent building.
Mystery Building
I really don’t know anything about my final building. it is definitely deco in style, reminding me of the former Woolworths building in Blackpool, but I can find no information about what it once was. Any ideas folks?
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10 Comments
nina
Keep working ,great job! I love your photos!
Seita
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a really good article…
I love your photographs, such beautiful buildings.
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Phil
The last one was a pub called bodega. More recently a next store, scene of a very high profile incident that sparked several incidents of rioting.
fashion-mommy
I think Hepworths shoes some time between, and after Next it was possibly Oasis, and then Select. Thanks for the info.
Eleanor Harris
I believe the mystery building was once a pub called The Bodega.
fashion-mommy
Thanks Eleanor, I’ve used that info and found there was a Victorian Pub on the site called the Bodega. Not sure when this building was built, but it became Hepworths, a shoe shop.
Barbara Handley
I have shared this, this week in the Facebook group Lost Wolverhampton. The Bodega was discussed as it has been before. I also shared the follow up article. If you ever want to find out more about old buildings, that group set up by local historian Billy Howe is the place to go.
fashion-mommy
Thank you for sharing, much appreciated.x
Kal.
Thanks for the information and time effort put in. Nice to know former buildings are cherished by some. The history and art they possess should always be appreciated. Keep up the good work.