Wednesday 29 October 2008

Art Deco Co Op

I've just stumbled across a website which has documented the fabulous Co Op Building in Woolwich. I love this building. It's strong, iconic and should be kept. I'm all for architecture and town planning to move forward, but this gem will probably be replaced with a diluted building of the utmost blandness.

Here are one of the photos from the site. Apologies to the webmaster for duplicating it.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

You Shuold also look at the bulding next door also which goes thruogh from Powis st to opposte the waterfront now a modern petrol station This was one of the ealiest garges built on the muti storie principle (art deco).It was built by Firlongs the estate agents in the earlypart of the last century. and housed removal lorries downstairs and had a car dealership up stairs. It had a vacume system to take money aruond the building .I have not been ruond the building for many yaers but it had many orignal features left.

Anonymous said...

Wow... it's almost criminal that it's been left to rot like that. I never would have knowm it was like that inside... [I've only been in London for 10 years, and in Plumstead/Shooters Hill for the last 2 years...

Anonymous said...

is nice. keep.

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful building and a good example of how Woolwich is so overlooked for it's good points. Hopefully this will change with the increased development in the area. Surely it is listed and therefore protected?

Anonymous said...

It is being retained, but I suspect not the internal structure.

http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2732

Anonymous said...

This building is not being retained the victorian red-brick co-op building opposite(with the clock tower) is being redeveloped. The art deco building is being demolished. English Heritage looked at it and decided it was not worth keeping due to the state of disrepair it is in. Persomal I think it's a beautifual peice of architecture and should be retained. Too late for some sort of protest/petition????

see www.woolwichtriangle.co.uk for more

Doctor Pangloss said...

Thanks very much for your input. I think this building holds such aesthetic value regardless if it were in Woolwich or Westminster. It may not be top notch high Deco, but (in my humble opinion), it's not far off.

Lesser buildings have retained their shells and been redeveloped; the Vista Building on Calderwood Street for instance.

I took a quick glance at the CABE website and it did make me chuckle. Hotel? In Woolwich? Makes sense though as London City Airport will be 5 minutes away. I'd be really interested to look at Greenwich Council's grand plan for Woolwich. There has to be alot more thanthe Arsenal site, the Triangle and the Tesco one.

Onwards and upwards.

Anonymous said...

I heard that Debenhams is going to occupy this art deco building. An hotel would be great, in light of the Olympic events in 2012 what with the DLR going straight to Stratford.

Anonymous said...

I believe Debenhams have looked at the other Co-op (red brick) building. But who knows how the current economic climate might effect these things. Re the grand plan, I think the Council are pinning much on the DLR (now only a matter of weeks away - officially Feb, but I've heard a whisper that it will open in Jan)and also Crossrail arriving in a few years time. Interesting and very promising times I think.

PS Did you know Youngs brewery are opening a pub/resturant in the Arsenal???

Anonymous said...

any more info on the pub/restaurant? would be much closer than going to blackheath when i fancy eating out. The Arsenal also has a nice deli.
Hopefully Debenhams will open up and others will follow. i can't wait for the DLR, better access to CW and the restaurants there will be a bonus.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the last comment. We love Blackheath for the restaurants. Am very encouraged though, as when we went to starbucks in Woolwich a few weeks ago and there were some 'normal' people in there rather than the benefit chavs slapping their kids over the head on Powis Street. Seems like the area is experiencing a transition judging by this blog too!

Anonymous said...

A coffee shop in Woolwich. Some transition.

Anonymous said...

Just to answer the last comment: I meant transition in terms of the regeneration of Woolwich, gentrification of old buildings especially important architecture. Blue chip companies investing in the area such as Berkley Homes, Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Debenhams, Tesco to name a few. These are encouraging indications that Woolwich is changing. New transport links such as the DLR and Crossrail. I was referring to the big picture. Woolwich is about to go through a major transition. Hopefully there will be more intelligent people moving there too!

Anonymous said...

I hear a very renowned dance/drama school has just relocated from Hampstead to the Woolwich Arsenal as well!

This Is Radio Silence said...

I think hoping for more intelligent people in the area may just be asking *too* much...