Description

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 2 July 2024 to update the name and address, amend description due to change in building use and to reformat the text to current standards.

SO9421NW
630-1/17/578

CHELTENHAM
MONTPELLIER WALK (west side)
Nos.1-23 (Consecutive) and Hanover House

(Formerly listed as Nos.1-23 (Consecutive) and Hanover House (Premises of the National Westminster Bank) )

12/03/55

GV
II*
Terrace of shops with flats over, now mainly storage. c1836-45, with caryatids of 1840. Designed by WH Knight; at least three caryatids are by Rossi of London, serving as models for others by WG Brown of Tivoli Street, Cheltenham; Hanover House, converted to a bank by Eric Cole c1970, converted to restaurant use in about 2000. Ashlar over brick with mansard slate roof and terracotta caryatids.

PLAN: L-shaped with opening to lower, shorter part.

EXTERIOR: two storeys with attics, mostly one window each (Nos 19-23 have two windows. Ashlar detailing includes pilasters with sunk panel to most party walls; tooled, eared architraves to first floor two-window ranges; cornice sweeps up; balustraded parapet. First floor has 6/6 and tripartite 6/6 between 2/2 sashes where original. 8/8 and 6/6 sashes to mansard, further attic dormers with casements. Mainly 6/6 sashes, those to bow are curved on section; also to roof dormers.

Rear: elevations to Montpellier Street are good three storey, ashlar, first floor windows have pediments.

INTERIOR: noted as retaining some original plasterwork and joinery.

HISTORICAL NOTE: although dated 1836 to the south end, Blake points out that no other evidence suggests such an early date, it is not shown on Griffith's 1838 Map and the earliest reference occurs in 1841 to "2 additional shops". By 1841 the north end of the Walk, opposite Montpellier Arcade (qv) had been built, forming a covered entrance to the tree-lined walk, leading from the Old Well and Imperial Spa to Montpellier (on which the shops were to be built). Rowe illustrates the north end of the Walk with bow and indicates that the shops along this side were occupied by Mr Merrett, Cook and Confectioner; Mrs Hacker's Magasin of Modes; and Mr Draper, Tailor; Rowe does not indicate any other shops had been completed in this development. Rowe describes, 'the bow front on the left of the entrance .. occupied by two handsome shops, the windows of which are separated by Caryatids - elegant Grecian figures, representing Athenian virgins, dressed in their Panathenaic costume'. Montpellier Walk was originally known as the Grand Promenade. This unique row of shops was described by Verey as, 'A charming example of intimate Classical architecture' and is an outstanding example of its type, both for its significance as commercial architecture of the period and the C19 terracotta revival. House and Nos 2-8 Montpellier Street (qv).

(The Buildings of England: Verey D: Gloucestershire: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: London: 1970-: 140; Sampson A and Blake S: A Cheltenham Companion: Cheltenham: 1993-: 18; Country Life 16.1.1926; Rowe G: Illustrated Cheltenham Guide 1850: Cheltenham: 1845-1969: 26; Blake S: 'The Building of the Montpellier Shops': Cheltenham Local History Society Journal:1984-).

Listing NGR: SO9461021479

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17535614

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

• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)