The Victorian era was one of the country's most industrious and productive, with traces of its influence still found in Norwich buildings and landmarks today.

The Crystal House, located in Cattle Market Street, is one such building.

Believed to have been inspired by the great Crystal Palace in London, Norwich's Crystal House, featuring a glass front of two storeys with 10 full-height windows, was built between 1862 and 1863 to accommodate the showroom of engineering works, Holmes and Sons, of Prospect Place Works.

Norwich Evening News: An illustration showing the extent of the original works at the site. An illustration showing the extent of the original works at the site. (Image: Sharon Page)

Norwich Evening News: Holmes and Sons Engineers occupied the building from 1863. Holmes and Sons Engineers occupied the building from 1863. (Image: Sharon Page)

Holmes and Sons were the city's premiere iron founders, engineers and agricultural machinery manufacturers, having previously won a Prize Medal award in 1851 for a threshing machine. 

After the death of FR Holmes in 1905, the building was acquired by Panks Engineering which remained at the building until 1983. 

During its time in Crystal House, Panks made its first traction engine that was exhibited in the Norwich Show and supplied a steam engine to drive a scoop wheel at Chettisham, Ely.

Norwich Evening News: A photograph showing the workshop behind Crystal House in the 1920s. A photograph showing the workshop behind Crystal House in the 1920s. (Image: Sharon Page)

Following Panks' departure, the building was repurposed for retail and in 1988 became the home of the Kellers Model Marque, a model and hobby shop, that used the wide-open space to great effect which included hanging 10-foot model aeroplanes from the ceiling.

The building served as Norwich's premiere model shop for more than 20 years until Keller's departure in 2010. 

Norwich Evening News: Kellers Model Marque at Crystal House, pictured in 1991.Kellers Model Marque at Crystal House, pictured in 1991. (Image: EDP)

Norwich Evening News: As it was in 2003. As it was in 2003. (Image: EDP)

Crystal House's future was looking uncertain in a quickly-changing retail world, seeing many more high-street businesses moving online to compete without high rents and running business costs. 

In 2011, Warings Furniture acquired the property where they stayed for five years until vacating to Westlegate in 2016 after planning permission was granted for Crystal House to be converted into new flats.

Norwich Evening News: Warings Furniture moved into the premises in 2011.Warings Furniture moved into the premises in 2011. (Image: Norwich City Council)

Plans to demolish back sections of the historic building were denied at the time, claiming it would "result in the loss of historic fabric" of the building, but in 2018 the council approved plans for Crystal House to be used as a gin distillery, restaurant and bar by Bullards Spirits.

The Bullards name has a 180-year association with Norwich and the installation of a 600-litre still was said to enable it to quadruple production.

Norwich Evening News: Bullards team inside the building in 2018.Bullards team inside the building in 2018. (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Evening News: The 600-litre still that Bullards hoped would really ramp up production.The 600-litre still that Bullards hoped would really ramp up production. (Image: Bullards)

Plans to use the Grade-II listed building included turning it into a luxury oyster restaurant, as well as hosting gin tours, but after four years the company decided to part ways with the historic premises, concluding that the building was not "practical solely as a production unit".

The lot stood empty ever since, with its future as a city-centre landmark up in the air. 

Whether it will become the site of flats or the forever home for the right business, Norwich is all the better with it.