Survey Data
Reg No
20827240
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Queenstown Soldiers' Home
Original Use
Nursing/convalescence home
Historical Use
Shop/retail outlet
In Use As
Restaurant
Date
1895 - 1905
Coordinates
179807, 66466
Date Recorded
20/08/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached pedimented four-bay three-storey with dormer attic former soldier's home, dated 1900, with shopfronts to front (south) elevation. Now in use as commercial premises. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge crestings and rendered chimneystacks. Brick walls with render copings, Doric-style brick pilasters having recessed panels, render caps and render entablature to pediment. Paired square-headed openings to pediment having render impost course, limestone continuous sill course, scrolled render bracket and replacement uPVC windows throughout. Square-headed window openings to second floor having render surrounds, impost course and limestone continuous sill course. Square-headed tripartite window openings to first floor with render surrounds, impost course and limestone continuous sill course. Shopfront to west comprising timber cornice with ornate consoles and fascia. Square-headed display windows flanking square-headed opening having timber panelled door. Limestone shopfront to east comprising pilasters supporting ornate cornice and fascia with carved lettering. Broken pediment with brackets and date plaque over overlight and timber panelled door.
Appraisal
One of the few brick buildings in West Beach, this structure is distinguished by its use of materials, including limestone and render, which provide chromatic and textural interest and culminates in a coherent decorative scheme. The well-designed and finely carved limestone shopfront further distinguishes the building and makes a it a striking presence in the streetscape. The shopfront is inscribed "SOLDIERS HOME", however, photography by Robert French (1841-1917) captures the building with the inscription "SOLDIERS' HOME & SAILORS' REST".