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This is one of the most impressive and attractive buildings in the
Jewellery Quarter. With its colourful Italian style in black, red and
white brick it is a notable landmark.
The building was constructed in 1863 for W.E.Wiley, manufacturers of
gold pens. The parapet wall does not lend itself to the spectacular and
intricate style of the building and reduces the effect the towers on
each corner would have had without it.
At one
time the building housed a Turkish baths, the steam for which came from
the factory boilers. In its day the baths were luxurious and the Argent
Centre was very much a place of leisure where visitors would play
billiards, chess and fencing.
Today
the Argent centre is home to several businesses who rent offices in the
complex.
See
also the Penroom
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