Carreras cats
Greater London House
When it opened in 1928, the Carreras building was both the largest cigarette factory in the world and the world's largest reinforced concrete building.
The building that is now Greater London House was built in the art deco style. The decoration of the front of the building was inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in the 1920. The archaeologists also found the temple of Bubas, the cat-headed goddess. The Carreras company logo was a Black Cat.
Carreras was an innovative company that built its revolutionary Arcadia Works in Mornington Crescent. Working conditions were enhanced by air conditioning, dust extraction, and full welfare services.
Carreras sold the factory to developers due to a fall in profits in 1959. It was restored in 1999.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 05 June 2008
