Northampton Bus & Tram Office - Jan 21

[BikinGlynn]

After my last report being well documented I thought u may like this. I can only find one permission visit from 16 that covered the workshops only, this is an overlooked bit of deco excellence IMO.
Iv started with a stolen pic as I neglected to take any externals.

The St. James garage started out as the Northampton Corporation tram sheds after the Northampton town council bought out the Northampton Street tramway system in 1901 and replaced the majority of horse drawn trams with an electrified system in 1904,
The facilities included storage, workshops and fabulous Art Deco Corporation Office building. Public transport in Northampton was revolutionised with the company returning profits after the first year of operation and industry in the town also grew.

This is essentially an empty shell but entering through the toilet gives you an idea of whats to come.

In 1937 the council approved a new extension, to house the expanding fleet that was to include a new garage area (itself measuring an impressive 260ft by 90ft and one of the largest unsupported roof structures of the time), mess room, recreation room and engine test room and opened in 1939 along with the fabulous Art Deco Corporation Office building.

Moving through the rooms we hit the stairs which is what its really all about.

Criminally the handrails to the stairs have been carelessly ripped out which nearly made me cry!
strange also as everything else is completely untouched.

The upstairs rooms are also empty but equally cool

Thanks for looking

 

[night crawler]

Great work and a superb place to look around

 

[BikinGlynn]

Great work and a superb place to look around

thanks dude, its a decent place

 

[flesheater]

this is why i come here look at the craftsmanship that went into building that

 

[justhappyretired]

Real shame about stair rails, bit of TLC it could be a great building again.

 

[Hayman]

An elegant interior for a building with quite a mundane purpose. What a contrast with today's bland offices.

 

[Place Images]

Fabulous. I know that location well but had assumed that Church’s used it for offices. It’s a brilliant building. Thanks for sharing

 

[BikinGlynn]

this is why i come here look at the craftsmanship that went into building that

It is rather nice, people would seldom bother these days

 

[BikinGlynn]

Real shame about stair rails, bit of TLC it could be a great building again.

I think it would make a cool house

 

[BikinGlynn]

Fabulous. I know that location well but had assumed that Church’s used it for offices. It’s a brilliant building. Thanks for sharing

Every one around N'pton knows it but always pass by without a second glance, it is quite sureal

 

[BikinGlynn]

An elegant interior for a building with quite a mundane purpose. What a contrast with today's bland offices.

Yep they sure dont make em like they used to!

 

[DeeHants]

This looks almost like a 3d computer render, especially with that texture!

 

[Electric]

This building has been fascinating me (and making me drive past slower) for years. Thankyou very much for sharing. That, Sir, is a mighty fine bit of tiling.

 

[BikinGlynn]

This building has been fascinating me (and making me drive past slower) for years. Thankyou very much for sharing. That, Sir, is a mighty fine bit of tiling.

Thanks, Iv kinda just drove past oblivious for years until we decided to check it out.
We did have a look at the old gas light building on the Towcester rd roundabout the same night but couldn't gain access to that, I wonder whats in there