Description

Paul Waterhouse of London, 1914-16. 3-storey and attic; 5-bay; rectangular-plan; semi-detached; commercial building. Greek design with pedimented slightly projecting 3-bay centrepiece with engaged Doric colonnade at ground floor. Polished sandstone ashlar (colonnade of polished granite) to principal (N) elevation, which wraps around N end of side elevations. Corniced frieze to ground floor; band course above 2nd floor windows; eaves cornice; all to principal (N) elevation. 1st and 2nd floor windows with moulded surrounds set within vertically shared architraves with fluted panel in between. Lugged architraves to attic windows.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: symmetrical arrangement. Flanking entrances to outer bays; moulded architraves incorporating disk motif; bracketed cornice to each; panelled timber doors incorporating disk motifs (that to right is 2-leaf); rectangular fanlights. Window with moulded cill to each bay in between, alternating with engaged columns. Colonnade supports slightly projecting Doric entablature; frieze continues set back to outer bays with disk motif replacing triglyphs. Window to each of outer 4 bays to upper floors (including attic). Figure of Prudentia carved in relief to central bay of 1st floor; disks to architrave, including bracketed and corniced frieze. Large disk panel to floor above. Entablature of pediment over central 3 bays of 2nd floor decorated with disks to frieze (replaced by Greek key motifs above windows). Flanking parapet to outer bays; latticed panels above windows. Outer attic bays set back behind deep balcony. Projecting 3-bay central section above pediment; channelled angle quoins; window to left return; eaves cornice bracketed; disks between brackets to frieze below; antifixae at angles above cornice; panel with scrolls at sides to centre.

E ELEVATION: polished ashlar facing to principal elevation wraps round 3-storey and attic section to right. Single-storey section to centre; taller block to left; both harled.

S ELEVATION: harled; regularly fenestrated. Slightly projecting bowed 3-bay breaking-eaves centrepiece. Band courses at cill and lintel level to each floor.

Steel fixed frame and casement windows with multipane upper lights. Roof not visible. Coped wallhead stacks to E and W sides. Some original rainwater goods including decorative heads to principal elevation.

INTERIOR: ground floor completely modernised.

Statement of Interest

Geometrical Greek design, the detailing verging on Art Deco. James Shearer was the executant architect. Currently (1998) local government offices. Alfred Waterhouse was responsible for the design of the Prudential's London headquarters in Holborn from 1876-1901. Waterhouses's son, Paul, continued to design Prudential branch offices well into the 20th century.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17816442

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

• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)