Description

PORTSMOUTH

SZ6499 CASTLE ROAD, Southsea
774-1/13/325 No.44
The Clock Tower (A Fleming Southsea
Ltd)

GV II

Antiques shop, later car showroom with flat, then reverted
back to antiques shop. c1903. By WJ Walmsley. Ornamental
panelled timber frame with stucco infill, brick in Flemish
bond. Plain clay tiled roof with at left, centre and right 3
brick stacks each with moulded stone cap and a group of tall
moulded clay chimney pots.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys with attic to centre, 3 wide bays. On left
the entrance is set within the splayed corner at junction with
Great Southsea Street and has a 2-leaf half glazed door, right
leaf 2-lights wide and left 1-light wide, with 1-light wide
fixed screen on each side, overlight with intersecting curved
glazing bars with diamond leaded light panel over, flanked by
Ionic wood pilasters each with chevron moulded shaft within
recessed panel. At each corner is an ornate figure head (made
in the dockyard). Band fascia and cornice. First floor has a
tripartite transomed oriel with front and flanking 2-light
diamond leaded light casements, shaped wood apron, fascia and
cornice with pediment over centre and a curved pediment over
each flanking casement.
Tall octagonal timber-framed tower base supporting square
clocktower, bracket at each corner. Clock face on each side
with curved wood pediment over bezel, cornice and scalloped
lead swept tented roof with weathervane. In lieu of clock
numerals are the letters ERNEST SMITH.
On right return facing Castle Road are 2 large shop windows
each divided by a slim colonnette with shaped brackets and
rope moulded lower half, top light over each window has leaded
lights with stained glass. To right is a former door opening
now with C20 infill, shaped wood brackets support rounded
pedimental entablature with shell relief to tympanum. Windows
and former doorway have flanking Ionic pilasters similar to
entrance. Further right are two 2-light transomed wood
casements with leaded lights and stained glass each set within
an eared and shouldered stone architrave with a stone
cartouche over, left with initials ES and 'Ne Cade Malis Sed
Contra', right has 'anno domini 1903'. First floor on left and
right set within timber frieze is a 4-light transomed casement
with diamond leaded lights, stained glass over transom.
Moulded wood projecting eaves with curved plaster soffit. At

centre is a shallow oriel with similar 4-light transomed
casement at front and narrow flanking casements. Front has two
C20 replacement casements. Attic has similar but shorter
4-light casement without transom, facing gable with projecting
verge and bargeboards. Elevation facing Great Southsea Street
is similar.
INTERIOR: unaltered.
Building was constructed as an antiques shop and was leased by
Ernest Smith who died 1922. Ford Motor Company then took over
the lease and it became a car showroom with upstairs used as a
flat. c1941 taken over by the present firm A Fleming Southsea
Ltd.
(Lloyd DW: Buildings of Portsmouth and its Environs:
Portsmouth: 1974-: 102, 103.; The Buildings of England:
Pevsner N & Lloyd DW: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight:
Harmondsworth: 1973-: 46).

Listing NGR: SZ6405699301

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26666607

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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