Pilkingtons Head Office, St.Helens | north west architectural place map

Posted 03 Oct 2007, 09:51 by | Last updated 06 Oct 2007

Offices. 1937-41. H. J. Rowse with Kenneth Cheeseman. Brick with concrete dressings. Style influenced by Dutch architecture, especially W. M. Dudok. Main block of 2 storeys with basement and central partly-underground garage has curved facade to junction with Canal Street.

Basement has alternate courses of projecting bricks. Ground and 1st floor windows in bands with concrete sills, lintels and canted mullions. Corner entrance has rounded _flanking piers with concrete fin motifs framing diapered panel above sliding doors with low zig-zag decoration. Similar, plainer entrances to both streets. Small top hamper to corner. Main entrance on Grove Street has round-ended porch with projecting roof slab and high band with windows. Entrance up round steps has sliding doors. Tall brick pylon with curved end rises from porch, with clock face on right side. Projecting block on right side has 2 storeys of 4 windows, the lower ones in ridged band. 3-storey, 5-bay block to left of entrance has 1st and 2nd floor windows in continuous vertical strips with fluted panels between floors and brick piers with decorative concrete fins. 4-bay return screen wall to earlier offices. Interior has Vitriolite panelling. Other features include stairs with iron rails and uprights in a streamlined contemporary style, one with original glazed panels. Some lifts with Vitriolite panels.

This building by an important early C20 architect, is significant for its style, influenced by Dutch expressionist architecture, and its excellent planning, forming a striking landmark in the centre of St. Helens.

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