Description

SX45NW
740-1/4/170
08/07/98

PLYMOUTH
SALTASH ROAD, Devonport
(West side)
HMS Drake: Seymour Building

GV
II

Officer's accommodation, now administration block on naval
base. 1879-86, Superintendent Engineer Lt-Col P Smith, RE.
MATERIALS: Plymouth rusticated limestone ashlar to basement of
right-hand block, dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course
above and with limestone dressings; dry slate mansard roofs;
dormer windows behind parapets to centre and left; right-hand
block with pilastered dormer windows with segmental pediments
flanked by attic storeys to end bays surmounted by balustraded
parapets; all parapets with moulded cornices.
Free Classical style.
PLAN: articulated rectangular plan.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys plus attic over basement;
1:3:1:3:1:3:1-bay front. Keyed segmental arches and string to
basement; pilasters flanking bays which are broken forward;
architraves to openings; original 12-pane horned sashes and
French windows to balconies. Recessed central bays have
central doorway approached by steps on bridge. The moulded
doorway is broken forward and has arms between door head and
moulded entablature; window immediately above entablature has
scrolled abutments.
Right-hand block has fretted balconies on shaped brackets and
consoles with hoods above French windows; central bay has
segmental pediment to balcony. Attic storeys are 3 bays, with
blind side bays, divided by pilasters. Other elevations with
similar detail where inspected.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
HISTORY: this was the original officers' accommodations when
the barracks was first occupied. The officers moved into their
new quarters in the Wardroom (qv) when it was completed in
1902. Sailors lived in hulks until the first naval barracks
were built here at Devonport, followed by similar designs in
brick at Chatham and Portsmouth.
Part of one of the finest and most complete barrack complexes
in England, manifesting the importance and status of the Royal
Navy at this time.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989-:
655 & 656).

Listing NGR: SX4502156764

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26666084

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.

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