****PIC HEAVY****
There has been a few reports on this building, although not for a few years now. Several failed attempts to gain access to this site, in what is a "holy grail" of South Wales urban exploring, to finally get in here!
Many cuts and bruises later and we finally got in today... although when we finally got in we seemed to have left our torch and DSLR in the van!! There was no way we were going back to get them after the climb we endured so had to take our pictures on a smartphone, unfortunately.
The Elysium opened it's doors 1914 in a building that was partly home to the Dock Workers Hall. Designed by the architectural firm Ward & Ward of the Strand, London. It could seat 900 within it's stalls. It was fitted out with cast iron seats, which can still be seen above a suspended ceiling that was erected to turn the cinema into a bingo hall in the 1960's, like many cinemas alike at the time. Below the auditorium was the Dock Workers Hall and Institute included a large ball room and bar, however we were unable to gain access to on this visit, seems all access was blocked, however upon leaving we think we have found a new way in. Both cinema and workingman's club were entered through a high fronted building on High street which still boasts an impressive Edwardian facade. The bingo hall closed in 1994 and the Dock Workers Hall closed it's doors around 1998. It seems to have been sealed since.
There has been a few reports on this building, although not for a few years now. Several failed attempts to gain access to this site, in what is a "holy grail" of South Wales urban exploring, to finally get in here!
Many cuts and bruises later and we finally got in today... although when we finally got in we seemed to have left our torch and DSLR in the van!! There was no way we were going back to get them after the climb we endured so had to take our pictures on a smartphone, unfortunately.
The Elysium opened it's doors 1914 in a building that was partly home to the Dock Workers Hall. Designed by the architectural firm Ward & Ward of the Strand, London. It could seat 900 within it's stalls. It was fitted out with cast iron seats, which can still be seen above a suspended ceiling that was erected to turn the cinema into a bingo hall in the 1960's, like many cinemas alike at the time. Below the auditorium was the Dock Workers Hall and Institute included a large ball room and bar, however we were unable to gain access to on this visit, seems all access was blocked, however upon leaving we think we have found a new way in. Both cinema and workingman's club were entered through a high fronted building on High street which still boasts an impressive Edwardian facade. The bingo hall closed in 1994 and the Dock Workers Hall closed it's doors around 1998. It seems to have been sealed since.
