Van Leer Offices [Former NCR], Dundee. April 2009

[Gorecki]

It was built in 1946 by architects Bennet, Beard and Wilkins.
It was origianlly a horizontal modern stee-framed cash register and adding machine factory. Stock brick cladding with cream-coloured concrete margins and coping. "Set in extensive gardens with company bowling green and tennis court".

"For the National Cash Register Company (Manufacturing) Ltd on land taken by Dundee Corporation from the Camperdown estate to offer a prestige site attractive to American investment. This was the first factory in Scotland to be occupied by an American company after the war and was important in the post-war push to diversify Scotland's industrial base. From 1986 occupied by Van Leer Tay, for the manufacture of polyproplene bulk bags, and thus reverted to a more traditional local industry. Inscription "NCR Camperdown" now removed."

 

[thompski]

What a nice building, such a shame its been mostly pulled down

 

[mr_bones]

Nice one! Good to see somewhere different, shame it is so trashed inside.

 

[85 Vintage]

I always like to see drak wooden panneling in offices. Makes them seem grander and gets me thinking how they would've looked fully furnished back in the 50's.

 

[Black Shuck]

Nice one there. That site is fantastic. I like the wood panneling a lot.

 

[flashbang]

Did you find any cash machines? Another sad sight in Dundee. At least they have brand spanking new offices just down the road.

 

[lost]

Nice work, I really like buildings of this era.
Amazed it's so trashed, didn't it close only recently?

 

[wolfism]

It closed over 10 years ago IIRC, they pulled down everything but the entrance portico (ie the current explore …) and built a car park and ice rink on the site. Mind you by the time Van Leer left, the place was utterly stripped, and the Lochee Fleet (much feared Dundee gang of the time) did the rest …

 

[foz101]

It closed over 10 years ago IIRC, they pulled down everything but the entrance portico (ie the current explore …) and built a car park and ice rink on the site. Mind you by the time Van Leer left, the place was utterly stripped, and the Lochee Fleet (much feared Dundee gang of the time) did the rest …

I remember reading a book about the Dundee gangs when wasting time in Borders Dundee branch. It was a pretty interesting read from the skim I had. Any other local books to recommend wolfism?

But I digress. Not a nice place but interesting enough, nice one number lady.

 

[lost]

I'm sure I heard about NCR closing a building in Dundee recently - another one I guess

 

[RichardB]

It's been winding down over the past few years. They made their last ATM last week.

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/05/23/newsstory13184900t0.asp

 

[purplepantman]

It's been winding down over the past few years. They made their last ATM last week.

Sad! Kind of reminds me of the Timex closure a bit.

We're becoming a nation of call-centres and service providers.

Nobody seems to "make" anything anymore.

 

[thompski]

Sad! Kind of reminds me of the Timex closure a bit.

We're becoming a nation of call-centres and service providers.

Nobody seems to "make" anything anymore.

Too true, I would rather have towns and cities of industrial 'nows' then industrial 'pasts' - its saddening to see places which were once national and world leaders in particular industries shadows of their former selves.