Description

SJ 89 NW,
1482-/3/10003

STRETFORD,
CHESTER ROAD,
Essence Factory

II

Essence Factory, incorporating office and warehouse functions. 1896, with late C20 alterations.
By Briggs and Wostenholme of Blackburn, for Messrs. Duckworth and Co. Red brick with
terracotta dressings and detailing. Plain tile and Welsh slates to roof. Symmetrical elevation
conceals asymmetry of plan and functional divisions within the 'L' shaped complex. South
elevation: four storeys with 5-storeyed towers to ends and centre. 12 bays, arranged 1:3:3:3:1:1
with towers at bays 1, 4, 7 and 11, with bay 12 of two storeys and gabled possibly an afterthought.
Entrance at bay 6 with semi-circular-headed doorway in moulded terracotta surround and
panelled double doors. Polygonal attached columns surmounted by urns flank doorway. Stacked
3-light mullioned and transomed windows with flat, then segmental, then semi-circular arched
heads to ascending windows. Tower bays flank doorways, with 2-storey oriels and octagonal
corner turrets to fifth storey extended downwards to third floor. Three bays to each side of entrance
range with semi-circular headed arcades of tall windows at ground and first floor levels, the
latter spanning two floors. Triple semi-circular headed windows to upper floor below blind
parapet, the bays delineated by pinnacles. End towers are wider versions of those to the
centre, and are 2 bays deep. Rear elevation obscured by C20 addition which is not of special
interest. Service courtyard to right with former engine and boiler houses, stable and low
entrance tower. Interior: frame of steel joists supported by iron columns. 5-bay office range to
front, entered through vestibule, with central colonnade, and moulded ceiling plaster. Wide
strutted roof trusses with iron props at junction of tie beam and principal rafter.

Listing NGR: SJ8230496578

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26533336

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)