The Coliseum was built in a baroque style in 1904 and designed by the architect Frank Matcham as one of the most luxurious family theatres in Europe.  Part of this was the inclusion of lifts to the upper floors, a first for any theatre in Europe at the time.  Matcham had a long career designing theatres, so much so it was reported that the dramatist Alan Bennett once said ‘there is a Matcham theatre in every corner of the UK’. 

When English Heritage gave the building Grade II listed status, they described it as an “exuberant Free Baroque ambitious design, the Edwardian "Theatre de Luxe of London" with richly decorated interiors and a vast and grandiose auditorium.”  These black and white photos of the lift interior show the same level of detailed design and top quality craftsmanship was paid to these smaller areas too.

In what could be described as ‘completing the circle’ we can reveal the lift interior will be reinstated into the building it was originally made for! 

The English National Opera, who have owned the Coliseum for over twenty years, won’t be reinstating it as a lift interior but using the panels as part of a new bar located in the building.  We for one can’t wait to see it in situ, it is a fitting end for one of our reclaimed pieces!

As one piece leaves the yard, at least three more arrive to takes its place! 

We’ve seen some impressive reclaimed architectural pieces arrive at our yard already this year.  Our favourite so far is the imposing antique French pine surround and overmantel flanked by two full height, arched cupboards. 

Fascinatingly, when we photographed and appraised this item Laura, our photographer, found a snippet of a French newspaper with the date 27^th August 1893 in the back of the fire surround. 

The way it was packed into chimneypiece looked as if it could have been put there during construction, possibly for insulation or immurement; the practice of burying or concealing items in the structure of a house.  Interestingly, on a side note, it is thought that the beginnings of Freemasonry can be traced back to rituals of sealing up secrets into buildings by masons.

The newspaper title Roubaisien translates as from Roubaix (a city in Northern France).  This area of France grew rapidly in the 19^th Century thanks to a booming textile trade.  We can envision a wealthy textile tycoon commissioning this grand chimneypiece for their beautiful, neoclassical home.  The central painting on canvas depicts Athene, otherwise known as Athena, goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology, and completes the character of the piece perfectly. 

I wonder what interesting piece of history will arrive into the yard next!?............