Description

TQ 4379 8/1

POWIS STREET, SE18,
Nos 125-153 (odd) (RACS Headquarters Building)

II

Large commercial premises with retail outlet. 1903, by F Bethell for Royal
Arsenal Co-operative Society. Red brick with terracotta dressings; slate roof.
Italian Renaissance style. 2 to 3 storeys; symmetrical 21-bay facade. Mid C20
plate-glass windows to ground floor. Central 3-storey, 11-bay range: central 4-
storey clock tower has terracotta facade articulated by fluted composite pilasters
to each storey, semi-circular moulded arch set on Composite jambs to doorway, statue
of Alexander McLeod (Society's Treasurer) by A. Drury set in open-pedimented
aedicule with Composite pilasters, raised relief lettering bearing Society's motto
etc to 2nd and 3rd storeys, and console cornice beneath copper-domed clock tower
with segmental pediments set on half-columns to angled corners; first floor has
2-light semi-circular arched windows with decorative spandrels revealed in
segmental-arched moulded architraves with pilasters; similar semi-circular arched
architraves to second floor windows; bays are separated by Composite pilasters with
enriched ornament to first-floor console cornice with enriched panelled frieze and
to 2nd floor dentilled cornice with scrolled frieze; gabled outer bays, faced in
terracotta, have canted bay windows with balustrade parapet and fluted Composite
pilasters. 2-storey, 5-bay outer bays, in similar style, each have balustrade
parapet and central scroll-pedimented dormer with Composite pilasters flanking
Ipswich window. The style of this building consciously imitated Harrods of
Knightsbridge.

Listing NGR: TQ4332979051

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q27083874

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

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990