Signage on iconic buildings
Iconic Buildings, Stunning Signage | Widd’s Recent Portfolio Highlights
Since 1888, Widd Signs has been crafting exceptional signage, contributing to some of the world’s most iconic buildings. In this blog, we spotlight a selection of these remarkable projects, showcasing our dedication to quality and design.
Primark: Global Retail Signage Excellence
For nearly two decades, Widd Signs has been a trusted signage partner for Primark, delivering impactful solutions for their global stores. Let’s explore some of our most notable European Primark projects:
Madrid: Cinematic Charm Meets Retail Innovation
The newly opened Primark in Madrid, located in the historic Cine Salamanca on Conde de Peñalver, is a testament to our ability to blend heritage with modern retail. This project, completed in May 2024, transformed a 1930s movie theatre into a vibrant shopping destination. The store features restored architectural elements, cinematic design touches, and state-of-the-art digital displays, creating a unique customer experience. With 3,600 square meters of retail space, this five-story store represents a significant investment in the local community.
Barcelona: Gaudi-Inspired Flagship Signage
In the heart of Las Ramblas, Primark’s flagship Barcelona store features striking illuminated exterior and interior signage designed and installed by Widd Signs. Over a seven-week period in 2020, we created over 50 bespoke signs, incorporating approximately 5,000 energy-saving LEDs and over 1km of wiring. The interior signage reflects a Gaudi-esque design, adding a unique artistic touch to the retail space.
Prague: Modern Signage in a Historic City
For Primark’s first Czech Republic store in Prague, located in The Flow building on Wenceslas Square, we delivered over 100 signs. This project included large-scale illuminated external branding and unique internal directional signage across three floors. The building, designed by Chapman Taylor, provided a modern backdrop for our signage solutions.
Bilbao: Dazzling Lighting and Bespoke Signage
In Bilbao, we transformed Primark’s five-story store with a dynamic lighting feature and comprehensive signage solutions. The programmable lighting system allows for a variety of colours and patterns, enhancing the store’s exterior. We also installed hundreds of interior and exterior signs, including dual-language signage in Spanish and Basque, reflecting the city’s cultural diversity.
Beyond Retail: Unique Architectural Signage Projects
Our expertise extends beyond retail, as demonstrated by our work on several architecturally significant buildings:
The Spine, Liverpool: High-Level Branding for an Iconic Landmark
Partnering with Morgan Sindall, we delivered the high-level external branding for The Spine building in Liverpool’s Paddington Village. Known locally as “the giraffe” for its distinctive architectural glazing, this £35 million building houses the Northern Headquarters for the Royal College of Physicians. Our branding solution ensures the building’s identity is visible across the city.
Berry's Jewellers: Heritage and Modernity in Retail Signage
We’ve supported Berry’s Jewellers since the 1970s, providing signage for their stores in Leeds, Nottingham, and York. In Nottingham, we delivered push-through acrylic letters on folded aluminium panels, respecting the building’s listed status. In York, we collaborated with traditional signwriter “Brian the Brush” to create hand-painted signage that complements the city’s historic charm.
Stonebridge Beck, Farsley, Leeds: Heritage Plaques and Public Art Integration
At Stonebridge Beck, we created poignant heritage plaques for a large-scale public artwork. Working with Rushbond, we designed chemical-etched stainless steel plaques that showcase the mill’s rich history, dating back to 1805. These plaques integrate seamlessly with the site’s industrial heritage and the “Embrace” sculpture, celebrating the site’s transformation into a new community space.
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