Michelin
Michelin House was originally built as the Michelin Tyre Company’s UK headquarters, which opened for business in 1911. The building was specially designed by Michelin employee François Espinasse (1880-1925) and was part of the expansion of the Michelin brand across the Channel.
The front of the art deco building was originally a tyre-fitting bay for passing motorists; the building also housed a sales area and a touring office, where motorists could plan their journeys.
The architecture of Michelin House reflected the unique and innovative advertising style that Michelin used to promote its brand and products. Stained glass windows, ceramics, ironwork... everything was worked out down to the last detail to attract the attention of customers and this triumphant installation marked the beginning of a long international expansion.
In 1985, Michelin fully relocated to Stoke, selling Michelin House to publisher Lord Paul Hamlyn and retailer/restaurateur Sir Terence Conran for £8 million. They subsequently extended the building, restoring many of its original features and creating replicas of the windows and cupolas using drawings and photos.
In 1987, Michelin House reopened: a combination of office space, retail outlets – and a restaurant and oyster bar called Bibendum, in homage to the Michelin Man. The chef was Simon Hopkinson and the food was top-notch; it very soon established itself as a fashionable and popular city spot.
Source: guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/six-things-you-mig...
Michelin
Michelin House was originally built as the Michelin Tyre Company’s UK headquarters, which opened for business in 1911. The building was specially designed by Michelin employee François Espinasse (1880-1925) and was part of the expansion of the Michelin brand across the Channel.
The front of the art deco building was originally a tyre-fitting bay for passing motorists; the building also housed a sales area and a touring office, where motorists could plan their journeys.
The architecture of Michelin House reflected the unique and innovative advertising style that Michelin used to promote its brand and products. Stained glass windows, ceramics, ironwork... everything was worked out down to the last detail to attract the attention of customers and this triumphant installation marked the beginning of a long international expansion.
In 1985, Michelin fully relocated to Stoke, selling Michelin House to publisher Lord Paul Hamlyn and retailer/restaurateur Sir Terence Conran for £8 million. They subsequently extended the building, restoring many of its original features and creating replicas of the windows and cupolas using drawings and photos.
In 1987, Michelin House reopened: a combination of office space, retail outlets – and a restaurant and oyster bar called Bibendum, in homage to the Michelin Man. The chef was Simon Hopkinson and the food was top-notch; it very soon established itself as a fashionable and popular city spot.
Source: guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/six-things-you-mig...