Description

ROCHESTER HIGH STREET
TQ 7468 NW
7/114 The Corn Exchange
23.8.74
GV I
Former Corn Exchange. High Street facade built in 1706 'at sole
charge of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Knight' MP for Rochester.
Range behind rebuilt in C19. Replacement Exchange erected to
rear facing Northgate in 1870 by Flockton and Abbot. High Street
facade: red brick with rusticated quoins; Kent tile roof. 2
storeys. Symmetrical 4-window range. Large pediment with
modillions, containing blind oculus with rich stucco frame, the
unbroken cornice returning to either side. 4 tall, narrow
windows to 1st floor with later glazing bars, panelled aprons and
projecting moulded blocks above keystones, dated 1706. Central
doorway with elaborate surround: swan-neck pediment on a
pulvinated frieze with carved end console brackets enclosing a
moulded round-headed arch with carved spandrels on moulded
pilasters and imposts. Fanlight with glazing bars; panelled
double doors with fixed side panels. Above the entrance a
cartouche with lettering. At cornice level a moulded beam on
carved bracket supports a large clock projecting over the street.
Moulded plinth. On the roof ridge a plain polygonal cupola
containing a single bell. The work of Shovell was never more
than a facade. Fragments of an earlier building survive behind.
Northgate range with exchange room to 1st floor, now with library
below. Masively scaled; brown brick with buff brick dressings;
hipped Welsh slate roof; continuous dentilled cornice.
Rectangular block, 3 x 5 bays; 3 storeys, the 1st storey taller
than the others to accommodate the principal room. Front (to
Northgate): regular fenestration to upper floors; 3 round-headed
windows to 2nd floor with original glazing bars; 3 tall square-
headed recessed windows to 1st floor with altered glazing bars:
the brick string courses at sill level rise to frame these
windows which are set centrally and close together. Ground-floor
openings under depressed arches with keyblocks now with 2
panelled double doors and 2 sash windows with glazing bars. 2-
storey annex to left with paired sash windows with margin panes
to 1st floor and ground floor openings as to main block. Left
and right margins with 6 2nd floor windows as front; 3 lateral
stacks with moulded caps.

Listing NGR: TQ7432968662

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Public Library (Former Corn Exchange) to Rear of High Street at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17533186

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)