Michelin House (17)A
Michelin House – 81 Fulham Road, Chelsea, LONDON SW3 6RD
The House was constructed in the late 1900s – 1910 and was opened for business on the 20th January 1911. Designed by Francois Espinasse (1880 – 1925). He was one of Michelin’s employees. Espinasse was an engineer working for the HQ in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Little is known of him and his work.
The Michelin House has 3 large stained-glass windows depicting the Michelin Man (Bibendum). It is made up of many panels of decorative tiles, some with just flowery designs, others with a bike (1890’s) and cars of the turn of the 20th century. The windows were taken out and removed to Stoke-on-Trent for safe keeping, however these went missing and after much searching, suppliers were found and replicas were made. In 2011 the building marked its centenary and as a result the company renewed its efforts to trace the original stained glass. A amnesty website and hotline was set up but I have no idea if it was fruitful. There are two glass tyre like constructions on the roof plus other decoration, these also disappeared.
Michelin moved from the location in 1985 and it was purchased by Paul Hamlyn (publisher) and Sir Terrence Conran who embarked on major development and restoration turning into offices for Octopus Publishing, a restaurant and oyster bar and a Conran shop all opened in 1985.
Definitely worth a visit and although we visited Friday 7th July, I wasn’t fortunate enough to see the whole building in it glory. The only downside was that is on a busy thoroughfare and it’s not easy to get the whole shot of the building without the steady stream of traffic.
Michelin House (17)A
Michelin House – 81 Fulham Road, Chelsea, LONDON SW3 6RD
The House was constructed in the late 1900s – 1910 and was opened for business on the 20th January 1911. Designed by Francois Espinasse (1880 – 1925). He was one of Michelin’s employees. Espinasse was an engineer working for the HQ in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Little is known of him and his work.
The Michelin House has 3 large stained-glass windows depicting the Michelin Man (Bibendum). It is made up of many panels of decorative tiles, some with just flowery designs, others with a bike (1890’s) and cars of the turn of the 20th century. The windows were taken out and removed to Stoke-on-Trent for safe keeping, however these went missing and after much searching, suppliers were found and replicas were made. In 2011 the building marked its centenary and as a result the company renewed its efforts to trace the original stained glass. A amnesty website and hotline was set up but I have no idea if it was fruitful. There are two glass tyre like constructions on the roof plus other decoration, these also disappeared.
Michelin moved from the location in 1985 and it was purchased by Paul Hamlyn (publisher) and Sir Terrence Conran who embarked on major development and restoration turning into offices for Octopus Publishing, a restaurant and oyster bar and a Conran shop all opened in 1985.
Definitely worth a visit and although we visited Friday 7th July, I wasn’t fortunate enough to see the whole building in it glory. The only downside was that is on a busy thoroughfare and it’s not easy to get the whole shot of the building without the steady stream of traffic.