This is Michelin House on the corner of Fulham Road and Sloane Ave. It opened in 1911 as the headquarters of Michelin tyres in the UK. When opened it used to have fitting bays where the cars were driven in to have their tyres changes. Over 30,000 tyres were stored in the basement
They restored some of the original features and put in a restaurant and Oyster bar called Bibendum as well as offices and a Conran shop.
There are three large stained glass windows featuring 'Bibendum' the Michelin man/ Unfortunately these are not the original windows which were taken down for safe keeping during the war and sent to the Michelin factory in Stoke on Trent. When it was time for them to be returned they could not be found. A mystery that has still not been solved.
A ceramic tyre has been used elsewhere in the decoration.
On both sides of the building just above head height are decorative tiles showing famous racing cars that used Michelin tyres.
The architectural style is marvelous!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting architectural prize. Is the restaurant any good?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like such a fun building to explore.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting.. it seems the design of the building is a mixture of many things...
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I must see this someday.
ReplyDeleteNice to see this place. You are still teaching me about new places to maybe see someday. :-)
ReplyDeleteA window mystery involving war, fat tires and windows. Intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI love those car displays. Although that one motorbike looks incredibly uncomfortable!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing building - I've never seen a stained-glass Michelin Man before!
ReplyDeleteHello, I like the tiles with the cars. It is a neat old building. Strange about the missing windows. Interesting post, thanks for sharing. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteCan WS still buy Michelin tyres? They had the reputation of being long lived, unlike many of today's products.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful building and its restoration is wonderful ~ Great photos ~
ReplyDeleteA ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Happy Thanksgiving coming in USA
Definitely an eye catching building and I really like the depictions of the old cars. Tanks for taking the time to show all these wonderful things that those of us on the other side of the world don't have a chance to see for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe details are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love old buildings and the details on this make it a treasure. Thanks for taking me on a little tour!
ReplyDelete...what wonderful building, the murals are great. I invite you to share this post at Tuesday's Treasures.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I know where this is but have obviously been so awake whenever I've passed that I had no idea it was there. It's amazing - curious that the windows disappeared; I wonder if they will emerge one day, like a long-losdt painting?! I'm guessing the building was bought for an inflated price...
ReplyDeleteinflated price...ha ha ha!
DeleteKay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
That was the era when large companies made impressive buildings and fronts for their factories. - Margy
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Absolutely amazing. If I had tried for a hundred years (or even 60) to imagine a Michelin factory, I'd never have dreamed it could be like this.
ReplyDeleteKay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
It is si good that they have kept a lot of the original decorations. It is an interesting mystery about the stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting ! I have certainly seen this building but never paid attention ! Next Wednesday I am off for 2 weeks Egypt. Only sea, sun and swimming ! Nothing else. I really need it !
ReplyDeletethe building looks better then I would have expected :)
ReplyDeleteHi! The Michelin house looks very cool.I enjoyed your post very much. There are nany historical buildings in your country. Michelin is very famous for the restaurant guide books in our country.
ReplyDelete