south shields post office
Russell Street
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Architect
Henry Tanner Year 1890 Selected bibliographical references Newcastle Weekly Courant 12 Jul 1890, p. 5 Shields Daily Gazette 6 Mar 1889, p. 3 History Opened: 7 July 1890 Closed: 22 Jun 1969 Demolished |
Building description
From: Shields Daily Gazette 6 Mar 18
As stated by us a few weeks ago, operations have been commenced for the erection of new Post Office buildings at South Shields. Alter years of anticipation in respect of a building suitable for the postal, telegraph, telephone, and parcels office requirements of the increasing population of this borough, there is apparently every probability of this long-felt want being supplied in the near future, the contractor for the erection the building having already cleared away what was the family residence of Dr. Legat, and commenced to excavate the foundation ot the new Post Office. The site of the new Post Office is situated between Last Smithy Street on tbe east, the proposed extension of West Keppel Street to Fowler Street on the west, by Russel Street on the north, and by the railway on the south. The ground enclosed will covered oy buildings and accessories equal to an area of about 700 yards. The frontage in Last Smithy Street will be about 90ft.; in Russell Street, about 70 ft; and in Keppel Street, about 82ft. The general style of building may be designated as of Queen Anne and Gothic, very neatly worked out in buff terra cotta and red brick facings. The terra cotta will be from Messrs Edwards, of Ruabon, Wales, and tbe red facing bricks from Grosmont, near Whitby. Tbe main building will have four floors in height. In the basement there will be rooms lor postmen, clerks, and linemen, each having separate retiring rooms. On the ground floor will be the public office, with entrance porch in Russell Street, about 38ft by 20ft., with all modern fitttngs for the speedy despatch business; also the postmaster's room the rear, easy of access to any of his many customers. On the same floor will also be situated the large sorting office, 62ft. ft. by 28 and half ft. and 15ft. high, with open roof, arranged with all appliances for the comfort and convenience of those engaged in this constant and important part at the service, the room being properly lighted, heated, and ventilated. Rising by a conveniently arranged stone stairway to the first floor over the public offices, will be the instrument room, where all the telegraph and telephone business will be transacted. This room will about 38ft. by 21ft., with a room to the rear for messengers, with all the necessary fittings and appliances tor carrying on the work expeditiously and privately. Over these rooms will be five retiring rooms for the men and women employed in the various departments, fitted with all the requisites to make comfortable during the hours they are required to on duty. Generally speaking, tbe building will fireproof, the floors being carried by strong rolled iron joisting arid cement concrete arching, on which are laid the tile and wood floors. The sorting office floor will be of concrete with pitch pine block flooring laid on the same. The walls to basement wiil be built with a cavity filled with hygean rock to secure perfect dryness. The design of the porch is very elaborately worked out in terra cotta, with bold projecting columns, caps, trusses, cornices, parapet, &c., are also large windows and letter box plinths, and string courses will form special features in the elevation in Russell Street as also the two entrances, windows, etc. Smithy Street and West Keppel Street, all neatly designed in terracotta. The whole of the arrangements will form an additional architectural improvement to the boiough, and supply a long-felt want. The whole of the works will carried out by Mr Joseph Elliot, contractor, of North and South Shields, who expects to have the building completed by February, 1890. The designs are by Mr Henry Tanner, architect ot H.M. Office ot Works, London, and will be carried out under the supervision Mr Jurd, his representative, who has recently completed offices at Wisbeacb for the same department.
From: Shields Daily Gazette 6 Mar 18
As stated by us a few weeks ago, operations have been commenced for the erection of new Post Office buildings at South Shields. Alter years of anticipation in respect of a building suitable for the postal, telegraph, telephone, and parcels office requirements of the increasing population of this borough, there is apparently every probability of this long-felt want being supplied in the near future, the contractor for the erection the building having already cleared away what was the family residence of Dr. Legat, and commenced to excavate the foundation ot the new Post Office. The site of the new Post Office is situated between Last Smithy Street on tbe east, the proposed extension of West Keppel Street to Fowler Street on the west, by Russel Street on the north, and by the railway on the south. The ground enclosed will covered oy buildings and accessories equal to an area of about 700 yards. The frontage in Last Smithy Street will be about 90ft.; in Russell Street, about 70 ft; and in Keppel Street, about 82ft. The general style of building may be designated as of Queen Anne and Gothic, very neatly worked out in buff terra cotta and red brick facings. The terra cotta will be from Messrs Edwards, of Ruabon, Wales, and tbe red facing bricks from Grosmont, near Whitby. Tbe main building will have four floors in height. In the basement there will be rooms lor postmen, clerks, and linemen, each having separate retiring rooms. On the ground floor will be the public office, with entrance porch in Russell Street, about 38ft by 20ft., with all modern fitttngs for the speedy despatch business; also the postmaster's room the rear, easy of access to any of his many customers. On the same floor will also be situated the large sorting office, 62ft. ft. by 28 and half ft. and 15ft. high, with open roof, arranged with all appliances for the comfort and convenience of those engaged in this constant and important part at the service, the room being properly lighted, heated, and ventilated. Rising by a conveniently arranged stone stairway to the first floor over the public offices, will be the instrument room, where all the telegraph and telephone business will be transacted. This room will about 38ft. by 21ft., with a room to the rear for messengers, with all the necessary fittings and appliances tor carrying on the work expeditiously and privately. Over these rooms will be five retiring rooms for the men and women employed in the various departments, fitted with all the requisites to make comfortable during the hours they are required to on duty. Generally speaking, tbe building will fireproof, the floors being carried by strong rolled iron joisting arid cement concrete arching, on which are laid the tile and wood floors. The sorting office floor will be of concrete with pitch pine block flooring laid on the same. The walls to basement wiil be built with a cavity filled with hygean rock to secure perfect dryness. The design of the porch is very elaborately worked out in terra cotta, with bold projecting columns, caps, trusses, cornices, parapet, &c., are also large windows and letter box plinths, and string courses will form special features in the elevation in Russell Street as also the two entrances, windows, etc. Smithy Street and West Keppel Street, all neatly designed in terracotta. The whole of the arrangements will form an additional architectural improvement to the boiough, and supply a long-felt want. The whole of the works will carried out by Mr Joseph Elliot, contractor, of North and South Shields, who expects to have the building completed by February, 1890. The designs are by Mr Henry Tanner, architect ot H.M. Office ot Works, London, and will be carried out under the supervision Mr Jurd, his representative, who has recently completed offices at Wisbeacb for the same department.
