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The Hoover Building on Western Avenue in Perivale , West London is an example of Art Deco Architecture , designed by Wallis, Gilbert And Partners . It is celebrated in the song "Hoover Factory" by Elvis Costello . HISTORY Built for The Hoover Company it originally housed Hoover's main UK manufacturing facility making Vacuum Cleaners , and employed up to 600 staff in the building's offices and works. The original building (No.1) was built in 1932 and contained the main offices. Before the offices were completed plans were being put in place to add manufacturing facilities. As staff moved into there new offices foundations were being laid for a factory block to the east of the original building. The factory block which came to be known as building No.3 was complete and fully operational by February 1933. In January 1934 plans were drawn up for an additional two storey extension on top of the factory building. By May 1934 construction of the additional two storeys were well underway. Demand for Hoover vacuum cleaners continued to grow and in 1935 Wallis, Gilbert and Partners designed a new factory (Building No.5) behind the original building. In 1938 a separate canteen and recreation centre (Building No.7) was completed to the west of the original office. SECOND WORLD WAR During the Second World War the Hoover Factory manufactured electrical equipment for aircraft and tanks. The factory operated 24 hours a day, with employees working shifts. The buildings were re-painted and camouflaged with netting to avoid German aircraft. During the blitz a look out post was setup on the roof, and was manned by members of the sales force who were too old for active service. The Hoover Company organised an evacuation scheme, and sent children of employees to live at the homes of Hoover staff in Canada. HOOVER'S UK EXPANSION
TESCO RE-GENERATION In 1989 the supermarket chain Tesco purchased the Hoover Building and 16 of the 17 houses that backed onto the Hoover site. Plans were then set in motion to build a Tesco Supermarket at the rear of the site and restore the original building and canteen, and covert them into offices. Work on the site started in 1991 and included the demolishment of Buildings No.5 and 8. Construction of the new supermarket started in January 1992 and was completed in November 1992. Tesco worked closely with English Heritage during design and construction on the site. The new supermarket includes lots of design nods to the original building. The entrance to the supermarket mirrors the fan window design of the Hoover Buildings front entrance. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS:
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