Thursday, 11 November 2010

Bookshop Windows

 Waterstones Bookshop, Fishergate, Preston, Lancashire

Isn't this a wonderful building for a bookshop, the windows give an almost Venetian feel. The white façade  stood out on a gloomy day. The Grade II listed building was completed in 1859 as a grocery store (Booths), it certainly beats modern supermarket buildings hands-down. The upper floors were refaced in 1915.  Thanks to the British Listed Buildings site I can say that it is brick with a façade of sandstone ashlac with the two top stories being of white architectural faience, and to complete the effect, the Lombard frieze on the top.

I don't think anything is left of the original building inside but happy hours can be spent amongst the two stories of books, not to mention pretty notebooks and other bookish ephemera plus a nice red plush carpet.

Mary the Teach is our hostess of  Window Views...and doors too 

6 comments:

Lesley said...

I am trying to imagine the aristocratic looking building as a grocery store!
Thanks for that link to the listed buildings site - I had only a vague idea of what the grades meant.

Lew said...

Looks like a great place to browse!

jabblog said...

Just the right place to be on a gloomy, wet day :-)

Lew said...

You could definitely get your fill of pasta at the Macaroni Grill, along with grilled vegetables, beef, chicken and seafood. We sometimes split an order or save some for lunch the next day. Romano's Macaroni Grill is an Italian restaurant chain with locations all over the US. They have some international locations, including Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, UK. I posted an image of the front of the blue building in September.

Cildemer said...

Wow! Great shot and beautiful architecture!
Thanks for sharing.

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Have a nice weekend****

maryt/theteach said...

Certainly beautiful architectural design for a bookstore! Thanks for participating in Window Views and doors too. :)