I remember looking at it out of the window of my dads car when we used to drive past it years ago.
And then some f*cker pulled it down and redeveloped the site! Why wasn’t it preserved like the Hoover building? 
Look at the entrance and pillars with it’s ancient Egyptian design influence.
Have you looked it up on 28 days later? The site is banned for me within work … but if there is a way in … 
Thanks for the 28 days later link - unfortunately the building (was near Brentford) was torn down years ago (late 70’s/early 80’s)It was a beautiful building - also beautifully lit at night - I used to stare at it out of the car window as a kid while sitting in the jams on the A4.
That is a shame mate.
I’ve been keeping my eye open for London/close places that look … interesting
Haggerston Baths looks like a goodie but not for us noseying as beginners … particularly when on an explore the people wondered into a room and could hear the security guards through an open door :w00t:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39284&highlight=haggerston and http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39280&highlight=haggerston
I dont quite remember the Firestone building itself, but i do remember as a child that all the companies on that stretch of road had the most fantastic trees up at Christmas time, it was always worth a ride in the car
Yup,
As an architectural student back in the late 60’s, I "knocked on the door"and got a guided tour inside and out from some storming looking, but toffee nosed bint. Effing brilliant building.
As I recall, but i’m happy to be told I’m wrong, the local planning authority had the place on a local list and had made application for national listing but the money grabbing developer knocked down before it was properly protected.
Almost happened with the Hoover building too.
Even New York protects it’s historic and/or significant buildings better than this.
Thanks for the feedback folks.
Great to hear that you actually got to see the place oldguy - I have heard that story about the developer too -
apparently it was decided that the building deserved a preservation order, however as soon as the developer found out it was knocked down the day before the preservation order came into effect!
Such a shame.
I remember it and the fuss when it was pulled down by an evil developer.
I always loved the Hawker Aircraft Factory in Ham. The front was offices in Art Deco with five story glass panels. The lot was knocked down in the early 90’s for anonymous housing.
What a coincidence, I was thinking of this building only today while travelling down the A40 admiring the Hoover building!
The Firestone building was in the process of being listed when it was demolished during a bank holiday weekend in 1980. As a result of this, and to avoid a repeat occurrence, the then Environment Secretary, Michael Heseltine, ordered an accelerated resurvey of possible buildings for listing, which resulted in many more buildings being listed.
Also, a new means of protection was introduced following the Firestone demolition: the Building Preservation Notice - a notice served by a local authority in respect of an unlisted building, perceived as being of architectural or historic interest, which gives the building a temporary listed status lasting for six months, during which time the Secretary of State decides whether or not to confirm the buildings listed status.
I know a thing or two about this subject, having spent 5 years listing buildings (but I wasn’t doing it in 1980!).
Crikey - I didn’t realise that the demolition of the Firestone building had such a pivotal role in the listing of similar buildings of historical/architectural value. Thanks for your expert knowledge E.Even as a kid - when I knew f*ck all about architecture, I found myself mesmeried by this building - it was so elegant, the proportions were just right - and it was beautifully lit at night (I think they used subtle red lighting) - which reflected the company name ‘Firestone’ tyres - which was a big name in motorsport.That developer deserves a kicking. . .
Are you into Urban Exploration?
This doorway is all that is left of the Minimax Factory on the corner of Faggs Road and the Staines Road, kinda makes you wonder what the rest of the building may have looked like.
Sorry about the pic was all i could find online
I’m not “into it” per se … but I have done a couple of visits with friends who are much more into it than I and find it fascinating … The whole “take only photographs - leave only footprints - because one day it won’t be around for others to see” is really important I think.
I know some people think of it as highly illegal and trespass etc but the majority of people have good intentions … case and point … there’s a live thread at the moment on 28DL … a padded cell in an asylum has been ruined by graffiti … http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42044 … a team of them go along - sneak in with buckets and sponges … http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42044&page=6 … bish bash bosh 
Crikey - another art deco building gone! Thanks for the pic Tricksie.At the moment a lot of 1960’s buildings are being pulled down - is that a similar mistake? I mean the 60’s was a supposed to be fab era?
Just asking as I am . . . . 
