| Ashford & Sons | |
|---|---|
 The factory's frontage in January 2013 | |
 Interactive map of Ashford & Sons | |
| General information | |
| Status | Empty |
| Type | Factory |
| Location | 16-18 Great Hampton Street,Hockley,Birmingham,England |
| Coordinates | 52°29′22″N1°54′27″W / 52.4894°N 1.90751°W /52.4894; -1.90751 |
| Completed | 1912 (1912) |
| Technical details | |
| Material |
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| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Arthur McKewan |
| Designations | Grade II* listed |
The formerAshford & Sons factory in Birmingham, England is aGrade II* listed building inArts & Crafts style.[1]
The factory, at 16-18 Great Hampton Street in the city'sJewellery Quarter, in theHockley district, was designed by local architectArthur McKewan and completed in 1912.[1]
It was givenGrade II* listed status in 1982, protecting it from unauthorised development or deletion.[1][2] The list entry describes it as:[2]
A particularly sensitive formal elevation to a jewellery works, containing Birmingham Arts and Crafts with Edwardian Baroque details all executed to a very high standard.
In June 2016, plans to convert the then-empty building into 64 one-bedroom, 77 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom residential apartments were announced.[1] As of 2022, the converted apartments have been operated as a build-to-let development byGrainger plc.[3]
John Ashford was a gilt toy maker ("toy" meaning small items like buckles and buttons, not children's playthings) in Birmingham from 1842.[1] In 1905 he sold the business to Joseph Aitken.[1] The firm, which made enamelled objects and men's jewellery, closed in 1980, but its name is still shown, carved inPortland stone on the building's frontage.[1]
