SOHO HOUSE located in Handsworth Birmingham, was the residence of Matthew Boulton from 1766 in 1809. In 1995 it was converted into a museum by Birmingham city council to showcase his life and achievements.
In 1760 Boulton decided to move out of congested thriving industrial city Birmingham in order to expand his toy Manufactory business. He acquired the lease of the Soho Mill in 1761 and developed it as Soho Manufactory. He also expanded the cottage next to Soho Manufactory into Soho House.
Originally designed by Samuel Wyatt , extension work on the current building began in 1789, completed in 1796 turning it to a picturesque countryside. The house faced with sheets of painted slate to give the appearance of large stone blocks was one of the modern residential buildings in the United Kingdom.It is a Grade II* listed building.
After the death of Mathouew Boulton in 1809, his son Matthew Robinson continued business with James watt son. Later on the open land surrounded the Soho house was sold by the grandson of Mathew Boulton. A part of the house including kitchen, servant rooms along with soho manufactory was demolished in 1862. Since the Boulton’s family moved out of the house in the 19th century, it was on lease as a boarding house, hotel, hostel for policemen and finally in 1990s it became property of Birmingham City Council. It was then transformed as a Community Museum, now open to the public without charge. It hosts exhibitions of local and community interests.
Where to Find Soho House
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