The Fred Hawkes company expanded between the two world wars, and he decided to build a new factory in Portland Road. The building was started in 1915 when plans were passed for an Office and Garage. The following year a storeroom was built and additions were made in 1917 to the storeroom. In 1922 plans for a runway to warehouse were passed. More additions were made in 1932, 1933 and 1935, and a bay window was added in 1937.

The entrance foyer is beautifully painted, but the artist did not sign the work. Several round windows appear to be actual port-holes, and one of the office rooms has panelling and a whole wall of cupboards.

The entrance was hand painted and enhanced with gold leaf. A domed roof has the above sun motif and the inner doors are stained glass. Mottoes are painted across each three sides of the ceiling and below two if these is part of the world, with a motto next to the door. Note the stylish handles on the doors.

The inside doors are stained glass, with two world maps depicted at the top of the doors and 8 round panels the main commonwealth countries with whom the company was trading. The semi-circular panel carries the slogan: The Empire is Our Market. The door panels have two panels of world maps: The World Seeks Our Products. Eight smaller rounds are: India, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, New Foundland and Canada.

The Empire is our Our Market The World Seeks Our Products

Britain is our chief Customer : The Empire is our Market : The World seeks our Products
Our Endeavour is to give Fair Honest Reliable Service to our Clients all over The World
The two maps of the world - by an unidentified artist