Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Architechture

Pantechnicon being re-developed 1986

PANTECHNICON (Union Road, Ryde)

For Sale 1914

3 June 1882
Proprietors Messrs. Wallis, Riddett & Down, offices 22 Union Street, Ryde.

This building is in the centre of the Town of Ryde, is the largest and best of its kind in the Isle of Wight and has been especially constructed for the Warehousing of Furniture, Pictures, Books, Plate, Linen, Win, Carriages and every description of Household Goods on very moderate terms.  Messrs. Wallis, Riddett & Down having had long experience of the difficulty for storing such goods believe that in providing the Isle of Wight Pantechnicon they have supplied want.

The Pantechnicon is a building of most substantial construction, three stories in height, each floor measuring about 75 feet by 25 feet.  The two upper floors are divided into numerous separate lock-up compartments, of various sizes, so that good sent for storing can be kept, perfectly distinct and be readily accessible for the owner’s inspection.  Every care has been taken to render these compartments suitable for the purpose, the arrangements for light and ventilation having been carefully considered.

The ground floor affords ample space for tor storage of Carriages and heavy goods. The staircase and passage ways are of unusual width in order that goods may be readily moved without risk of the damage which they so frequently sustain in removal.

Hawk House Flats

The Building stands detached on all sides and thus possesses great security against fire.

There is a court yard attached to the building into which the largest van can enter to be unloaded.  In inclement weather the unloading takes place entirely under cover.

Messrs. Wallis, Riddett & Down’s large Auction Rooms are situated in Melville-street, near to the Pantechnicon where frequent Sales take place of every description of property.  These afford to persons removing a convenient opportunity of disposing of any portion of their goods which they may not wish to store.

The property was purchased by Chaplin & Co., in 1914.  It was empty in 1986 and on the market for sale. It was re-developed by 1995 as Hawk House flats.

 

Source: IW Observer
Images: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett