Wait and James Granary, 32 Welsh Back, Bristol

Built to the designs of William Venn Gough of Ponton and Gough, and widely considered the best-preserved example of what has become known as the “Bristol Byzantine” style for its supposed links with the mercantile architecture of Venice and the Eastern Mediterranean, Wait and James Granary is sited on the waterfront at Welsh Back. The granary was served mostly by small costal vessels, their cargo being discharged on to Welsh Back before being hoisted into the granary. Here the grain was spread across the floors to dry. To prevent mildew, it was ventilation rather than light that was of primary concern. Thus, the elevations are, in effect, ventilating grilles in the form of arches and pierced screens. Despite the decorative treatment, functional requirements were not ignored. Some of the “portholes” at ground floor were connected to chutes from the upper floors allowing sacks of grain to be dropped down to waiting waggons for onward distribution. It was constructed principally of red bricks from the Cattybrook brickworks, Almondsbury but incorporated black and yellow bricks in decorative bands and limestone dressings, as part of the polychromatic treatment.

The building was used as a nightclub 1968-1988. Converted to apartments in 2002 (architects: Barton Willlmore). The image dates from 1966.