|
Listings: 1898-9, extended early C20. By C. H. M. Mileham of London.
An important example of a building relating to one of Wolverhampton's major
industries, with important townscape value for the approaches to the town
centre.
Awards: The "conversion and extension of a Grade II listed
Victorian warehouse to provide a centre for the media and creative arts"
received Civic Trust commendation in 1994. The designer for the
work was Robert Seager Design.
Comment: the Chubb Building is now often known as the Lighthouse Media
Centre or, simply, the Lighthouse. This is one of the outstanding successes of
preservation and restoration; it received many awards. It now contains a
cinema, restaurant and pub and several media companies as well as other
businesses.
The building was built in 1898-9 as the headquarters of Chubbs Locks
and Safes. (pace the Civic Trust, it was not a warehouse but a
manufactory). When they moved out it was taken over by Baelz.
It became empty during the 1960s and remained that way until the 1990s
when it was refurbed by a co-operation between the Borough Council and
Midlands Industrial Association. The building was worth preserving
on its own merits and because of its importance in the city's history of
lock and safe making.
This is Bev Parker's photo of the exterior just as the
refurbishment was starting.
And this is his photo of the interior of the
courtyard. By 1898 some factories were being built which were
single storey with roof lighting; or more than a single room wide
and relying on artificial lighting. But Chubbs went for a high
class example of the traditional design
This corner, which houses a cinema amongst other
things, is mostly new build. The tower echoes the original
tower on the opposite corner of the building and visible in the top
picture. But this entrance to "the Lighthouse" also echoes
traditional representations of another building. You often
hear about "wit" in architecture. This is a real example of
it.
|
