Norfolk House, Basingstoke
Encyclopedia
Norfolk House was the headquarters of The Automobile Association
from the mid-1990s until its closure in 2003. It was originally intended to replace Fanum House
as the AA's HQ, but ultimately the building was not large enough to accommodate all Basingstoke-based employees and both buildings operated concurrently.
The building was purpose-built, and located at the Aldermaston Road roundabout, at the junction of the Basingstoke ring road and the A340. It consisted of three permanent structures, the main office block and car park, a technology centre, and the AA sports and social club/museum which featured squash courts and other sports facilities, and a bar on part of the first floor. There was also a security gatehouse and a petrol pump, used by AA employees to fill company vehicles.
The main building was above three levels of undercover car park. There were three floors, including the entrance (ground) floor. The ground floor featured a large reception area with marble floors, an employee cafeteria, and office wings on either side accessible to employees by swiping their ID card. The offices were constructed around internal garden areas. The upper floors were accessed by a curved, floating staircase, or by lift. Each floor had a circular balcony overlooking the reception area.
One side of the 2nd (top) floor was a plush executive suite, with very large glass offices for the AA Director-General and the other directors, executive washrooms, and meeting rooms. The AA boardroom with an anteroom
was within this suite. The executive suite was not accessible to the majority of employees, as it required a special ID card access. There was also a dedicated executive catering facility, with its own dining rooms. These were used both by the directors on a day to day basis, and for entertaining guests from other motoring associations worldwide and commercial partners.
After the purchase of the AA by Centrica
in 1999, various Centrica functions moved into the building, and it was used jointly by Centrica, British Gas and AA employees until its closure. The executive facilities were dispensed with. After it closed, the building stood empty for some time, until it was occupied by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company
and renamed Lilly House.
van, AA Land Rover
and various motorcycles.
After the closure of Norfolk House, the museum was incorporated into the Milestones Museum
in Basingstoke.
The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
from the mid-1990s until its closure in 2003. It was originally intended to replace Fanum House
Fanum House
Fanum House is the headquarters of The Automobile Association in Basingstoke in the English county of Hampshire. It is one of several AA buildings named "Fanum House" around the country...
as the AA's HQ, but ultimately the building was not large enough to accommodate all Basingstoke-based employees and both buildings operated concurrently.
The building was purpose-built, and located at the Aldermaston Road roundabout, at the junction of the Basingstoke ring road and the A340. It consisted of three permanent structures, the main office block and car park, a technology centre, and the AA sports and social club/museum which featured squash courts and other sports facilities, and a bar on part of the first floor. There was also a security gatehouse and a petrol pump, used by AA employees to fill company vehicles.
The main building was above three levels of undercover car park. There were three floors, including the entrance (ground) floor. The ground floor featured a large reception area with marble floors, an employee cafeteria, and office wings on either side accessible to employees by swiping their ID card. The offices were constructed around internal garden areas. The upper floors were accessed by a curved, floating staircase, or by lift. Each floor had a circular balcony overlooking the reception area.
One side of the 2nd (top) floor was a plush executive suite, with very large glass offices for the AA Director-General and the other directors, executive washrooms, and meeting rooms. The AA boardroom with an anteroom
Antechamber
An antechamber is a smaller room or vestibule serving as an entryway into a larger one. The word is formed of the Latin ante camera, meaning "room before"....
was within this suite. The executive suite was not accessible to the majority of employees, as it required a special ID card access. There was also a dedicated executive catering facility, with its own dining rooms. These were used both by the directors on a day to day basis, and for entertaining guests from other motoring associations worldwide and commercial partners.
After the purchase of the AA by Centrica
Centrica
Centrica plc is a multinational utility company, based in the United Kingdom but also with interests in North America. Centrica is the largest supplier of gas to domestic customers in the UK, and one of the largest suppliers of electricity, operating under the trading names "Scottish Gas" in...
in 1999, various Centrica functions moved into the building, and it was used jointly by Centrica, British Gas and AA employees until its closure. The executive facilities were dispensed with. After it closed, the building stood empty for some time, until it was occupied by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...
and renamed Lilly House.
AA Museum
The AA Museum featured exhibits of AA memorabilia from over the years, everything from badges and signs to petrol pumps, many photographs, and vehicles including an AA-liveried MiniMini
The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
van, AA Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
and various motorcycles.
After the closure of Norfolk House, the museum was incorporated into the Milestones Museum
Milestones Museum
Milestones Museum is a museum located in Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. It is made up of a network of streets that have been recreated on those found in Victorian and 1930s Hampshire....
in Basingstoke.