Description

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 27/03/2013

TA1028NW
680-1/23/244
12/11/73

KINGSTON UPON HULL
LOWGATE (West side)
Former Head Post Office

(Formerly Listed as:
LOWGATE (West side) The General Post Office, and formerly listed as Head Post Office)

GV II

Former Head Post Office. 1908 with mid C20 addition in matching
style. Designed by J Williams of the Office of Works. Portland
stone ashlar with granite plinth. Roof and stacks not visible.
Baroque Revival style. Channelled rustication to ground floor,
ground floor block cornice, dentillated main cornice, coped
balustrade with pedestals.
Lowgate front, 3 storeys; 7-bay centre with single projecting
end bays. In the centre, a screen of giant Ionic columns. On
the first floor, seven 15-pane sashes with cornices, triple
keystones and alternating triangular and segmental pediments.
Above, in each bay 2 narrow glazing bar sashes on a sill band.
On the ground floor a granite central doorcase with massive
rusticated Doric columns and pilasters carrying a dentillated
open pediment. Round arched doorway with double keystone,
panelled double doors and blank fanlight. On either side, 3
rusticated concave round-headed openings with mask keystones.
Central opening has a moulded stone doorcase with cornice and
"E R" monogram on central block in frieze. Granite steps with
low balustrade walls to panelled doors with radial fanlights.
Flanking openings have tripartite glazing bar windows with
radial fanlights. Below the windows, panelled aprons and
granite screen walls with spiked tops.
End bays have rustication on each floor. Above, a recess
framed by giant paired Ionic columns with a dentillated
segmental pediment containing the Royal arms. On the first
floor, a 15-pane sash flanked by Doric columns carrying an
entablature with double keystone and triangular pediment.
Above, a 12-pane sash with moulded surround, double keystone
and corbelled sill. On the ground floor, a rusticated
round-headed concave opening with double keystone and a
tripartite glazing bar window with radial fanlight, panelled
apron and screen wall. Curved inset corner, to right, has
rustication on each floor. Upper floors have each a single
narrow window to left. Ground floor has 3 small stepped
staircase window and a single small window below them.
Right front, to Alfred Gelder Street, has projecting centre
and end bays, each with rusticated inset corners and 3
windows. Each has a blind attic with a raised panel, those to
the central and left bays inscribed "Post Office". Central bay
has on the first floor an 18-pane sash flanked by engaged
Ionic columns carrying an open pediment and a large double
keystone. On either side, a 15-pane sash with moulded
surround. Above, a smaller 16-pane sash with eared surround,
double keystone and corbelled sill. On either side, a 12-pane
sash with moulded surround. The end bays have similar
fenestration. On the ground floor, a rusticated coved
round-headed opening with double keystone and tripartite
window with apron. Left end bay has a similar recess
containing a stone doorcase with open pediment carried on
engaged Doric columns, with a panel in the frieze inscribed "
Head Postmaster". Right end bay has a full-width semicircular
arch for vehicles, with sliding doors. Flanking the central
bay, 5-bay ranges with screens of 4 giant Ionic columns. On
the first floor, 15-pane sashes with pilastered surrounds,
double keystones and alternating triangular and segmental
pediments. Above, in each bay, 2 narrow glazing bar windows on
a moulded sill band. On the ground floor, rusticated coved
round-arched openings with mask keystones. In the left range,
3 tripartite windows, then a panelled door with lintel
inscribed "Staff Entrance", the another window, all with
radial fanlights. In front of these openings, a coped
balustrade and steps, with panelled pedestals. In the right
range, 5 similar windows.
To right, beyond the end bay, a set back section with 2
glazing bar sashes on each floor. Below the ground-floor
windows, a barred window to left and a double door to right,
with moulded surround and keystone.
INTERIOR has cross beam ceiling carried on late C20 columns,
with dentillated and egg-and-dart cornices.

Listing NGR: TA1004828812

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26512714

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

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas