New Street Works
The New Street Works were built for the Marconi company in Chelmsford, England in 1912,[1] and are credited as being the worlds first purpose-built radio factory in the world.[2]
History
Marconi had established his company offices at Hall Street, Chelmsford in 1898, but 14 years later these were deemed too small. He commissioned architects W Dunn and R Watson to design a new factory on New Street, with construction work commencing work on 26 February 1912.[1][3] The factory is credited with being the world’s first purpose-built radio factory, giving Chelmsford the claimed title "Home of the radio".[1][2]
In 1919, two 450 feet (140 m) aerial masts were added to the site.[1] In 1936-39, the art deco-styled factory and attached 5-storey Marconi House were completed, the later then housing most of the factories offices.[1] The company also opened the Marconi Research Centre in 1936, to bring together their various radio, television and telephony research teams in a single location.[4] At its peak, the factory employed 4,500, while the Research Centre employed an additional 1,200 engineers. The Research Centre was also home to the original Marconi museum, containing numerous original artifacts from the pioneering period of Guglielmo Marconi's work on wireless telegraphy.[5]
The Marconi company was bought by the [[ In 1949 building 720 was added, which boasted the largest unsupported roof span in the United Kingdom, and also housed the new canteen.[1][3]
In 1999 the defence arm of Marconi was bought by British Aerospace to form BA Systems, who still occupy the new building within the Marconi Research Centre to the west of the site. In 2008 the last occupants of the site, Selex Communications moved out, ending nearly 100 years of communications industry on the site.[1][3]
Present
Following de-occupation, Chelmsford Council successfully Grade2 listed four buildings on the site: 1912 New St building; New St Cottages; the powerhouse; the water tower. The art-deco factory, Marconi House and building 720 are not listed.[1][3]
Bought by Ashwell Property Group, the company fell into administration in 2008/9, with redevelopment due to start in 2010. Receivers are presently (2012) seeking to sell the entire site for £14 million.[2]
References
- Tim Wander (16 Feb 2012). Marconi's New Street Works 1912 - 2012. Authors Online. ISBN 0755206932.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tim Wander (16 Feb 2012). Marconi's New Street Works 1912 - 2012. Authors Online. ISBN 0755206932.
- ^ a b c "From on-air to disrepair: Battle to save first ever wireless factory where Marconi broadcast to the world 100 years ago". Daily Mail. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d "New Street Marconi Factory, Chelmsford". adarkertrantor.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ Birthplace of Radio, Invest Essex, accessed 2011-10-13
- ^ The emergence of broadcasting in Britain, Brian Hennessy, John Hennessy, ISBN 0-9551408-0-3