Survey Data
Reg No
50930195
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
House
In Use As
Office
Date
1855 - 1865
Coordinates
316429, 232833
Date Recorded
25/07/2015
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Terraced two-bay four-storey former townhouse over basement, built c. 1860, as a unified terrace of five, Nos 29-33. Exposed bay of rear elevation bowed and two-stage hip-roofed return to rear. Now in use as offices. M-profiled slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, concealed by ashlar granite parapet with moulded cornice and coping. Pairs of brick chimneystacks to north and south party walls (diminished to north), cement rendered to south with clay pots, parapet gutters, cast-iron rainwater goods to rear. Red brick walls in Flemish bond with rusticated granite walling to ground floor over random ashlar walls to basement level beneath granite stringcourse. Square-headed window openings with brick voussoirs, patent reveals, projecting granite sills, replacement one-over-one timber sashes with horns. Iron guard rails to second and third floor openings, decorative cast-iron balconettes resting on granite platband at first floor level. Block-and-start granite surround to basement, with three-over-three timber sash window and secondary glazing. Variety of timber sashes to rear (west) including; three-over-six and eight-over-eight. Round-headed opening to second floor rear, having two-over-two sash with coloured glass margin lights. Recent metal fire escape stair affixed to rear. Round-headed opening to principal (east) elevation with rendered reveals, projecting Ionic columned entablature, replacement plain glass fanlight and timber four-panelled beaded muntin door with brass handle and letterbox. Door approached by single granite step, cast-iron boot scraper retained. Original cast-iron railings to basement area on granite plinth, recent steel steps to basement. Coal-hole cover to pavement. Recent brick boundary wall to rear along Lesson Close. Two-storey mews building with pitched slate roof and roughcast rendered walls, converted for residential use and extended to west. Street-fronted on western side of Fitzwilliam Place, with similar terrace located to the north, Nos 34-6 (50930199-201).
Appraisal
A Georgian-style former townhouse, one of a group of five designed by Dublin born architect Joseph Maguire (1820-1909). With restrained detailing, vertical massing and well-balanced proportions this unified terrace forms an integral part of Fitzwilliam Place and contributes much to defining the character of the wider streetscape. The restrained façade is enlivened by decorative cast-iron balconettes, which add visual interest, while the boundary cast-iron railings and granite step enhance the street setting. The overall character of the terrace has been largely retained, despite some loss of historic fabric. Although the streetscape is largely cohesive in appearance, slight variations between the groups of terraces on Fitzwilliam Place is illustrative of the incremental nature of speculative development.