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Elmfield, Southampton
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Can anyone tell me the original purpose of this building in Southampton?Just doesn't fit in with the rest of the road!
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Hi,
Elmfield flats was built originally by Cunard as a stopover for the Americans. The Cunard logo - a rosette - can clearly be seen both on the large iron gates & the entry portals to each block. The apartments varied in size depending on ones standing in the shipping line. Most had built-in cupboards by the front door into which you placed your shoes, for the valet to polish. Sadly, this service had long ceased when I lived there! I used mine as parcel hatches.
It was built around the mid 30's. But only two wings - West & North - were completed before the war got in the way & the liners stopped running for fear of being torpedoed.
During the war it was taken over by the military as a place from which to plan the Southampton-part of the D-Day landings. So it became slightly secretive.
Although the buildings appear to have a pitched roof, it is in fact flat! This served as a navigational aid to the Luftwaffe as they bombed the railway lines. In fact, one bomb slightly damaged West block. It was decided to 'camouflage' the buildings & the roofs were grassed over. Latterly, we used the area to sunbathe. However, this avenue of pleasure has long since been closed off due to Health & Safety concerns.
There was a pond with a fountain in the grounds......but this has never been in use during my tenure ('92 - '05).
The building that joins the two blocks was originally intended to be a restaurant & ballroom.
Following the war, the impetus was lost & the construction of the other two identical blocks - presumably 'East & South' - did not gain fruition.
Some years later the land on which they were to be built was sold off & a small industrial estate blossomed.
In the underground garage of West block there is a flat (presumably, this would have been for the janitor). Alternatively, in the underground garage of North block there are two rooms that were to have been a butchers & a bakers.
Elmfield flats was built originally by Cunard as a stopover for the Americans. The Cunard logo - a rosette - can clearly be seen both on the large iron gates & the entry portals to each block. The apartments varied in size depending on ones standing in the shipping line. Most had built-in cupboards by the front door into which you placed your shoes, for the valet to polish. Sadly, this service had long ceased when I lived there! I used mine as parcel hatches.
It was built around the mid 30's. But only two wings - West & North - were completed before the war got in the way & the liners stopped running for fear of being torpedoed.
During the war it was taken over by the military as a place from which to plan the Southampton-part of the D-Day landings. So it became slightly secretive.
Although the buildings appear to have a pitched roof, it is in fact flat! This served as a navigational aid to the Luftwaffe as they bombed the railway lines. In fact, one bomb slightly damaged West block. It was decided to 'camouflage' the buildings & the roofs were grassed over. Latterly, we used the area to sunbathe. However, this avenue of pleasure has long since been closed off due to Health & Safety concerns.
There was a pond with a fountain in the grounds......but this has never been in use during my tenure ('92 - '05).
The building that joins the two blocks was originally intended to be a restaurant & ballroom.
Following the war, the impetus was lost & the construction of the other two identical blocks - presumably 'East & South' - did not gain fruition.
Some years later the land on which they were to be built was sold off & a small industrial estate blossomed.
In the underground garage of West block there is a flat (presumably, this would have been for the janitor). Alternatively, in the underground garage of North block there are two rooms that were to have been a butchers & a bakers.
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