A downward spiral

Spiralling down through three floors at Heal’s department store in London is this striking Cecil Brewer-designed staircase. Heal’s flagship store moved to Tottenham Court Road in 1833 but the staircase was a later addition in 1916, ahead of the opening of an in-store art gallery. Brewer, the architect, was the cousin of Ambrose Heal, then chairman of the family business. While the art gallery is no longer with us, this glamorous set of stairs is still helping shoppers get from A to B, in stylish fashion.
© Matt Cooper/Gallery Stock