The Crafty Dragon
The Alliance Assurance Company
In the 19th Century many financial institutions began to build purpose-made offices in the town.
The Alliance Assurance Company was a Wrexham success story, formed in 1852 and advertising themselves as the only Welsh insurance company. In 1861 this grand building was completed as their main office.
The Italianate design of the building was meant to suggest wealth and substance.
The local newspaper said it had “The finest room in Wrexham, with a telegraph to point out which clerk is wanted, and … where he is wanted,” and having “hot water and cold water everywhere at command.”
The building was claimed to be fireproof, and contained shop units on the ground floor with modern central heating, and with windows and doors fitted with patent revolving metal shutters for extra security - similar to the metal shutters we still see on many shops.
Local people must have been very impressed with this showcase of modern building design.
