Survey Data
Reg No
15503007
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Scientific, Social
Original Use
Office
In Use As
Office
Date
1835 - 1840
Coordinates
305038, 121731
Date Recorded
16/06/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey harbour commissioners' office, built 1838, on a square plan with three-bay two-storey side elevations. Renovated, ----. Flat-topped hipped fibre-cement slate roof on strutted Queen post timber construction behind parapet with granite ashlar chimney stacks on cut-granite cushion courses on rendered battered bases having cut-granite corbelled stepped stringcourses below capping, and concealed rainwater goods with replacement uPVC rainwater goods to rear (west) elevation on rendered eaves. Rendered channelled wall (ground floor) on scored cushion course on benchmark-inscribed cut-"Old Red Sandstone" plinth; rendered, ruled and lined surface finish (first floor) with thumbnail beaded cornice on blind frieze below parapet; rendered, ruled and lined surface finish (south) or slate hung surface finish (north). Segmental-headed central door opening in segmental-headed recess approached by poured concrete ramp between spear head-detailed cast-iron railings, timber doorcase with panelled pilasters on plinths supporting cornice on fluted scroll consoles, and channelled voussoirs centred on keystone framing replacement timber panelled double doors having fanlight. Round-headed flanking window openings in round-headed recesses with sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement timber fittings. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with sill course, and moulded rendered surrounds supporting hood mouldings framing replacement timber fittings. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; room (south) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters; room (north) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surround to window opening framing timber panelled shutters; staircase hall (west) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase with cast-iron balusters supporting carved timber banister, and carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors; (first floor): boardroom retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to opposing window openings framing timber panelled shutters; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Quay fronted with spear head-detailed cast-iron railings to perimeter.
Appraisal
A harbour commissioners' office representing an important component of the built heritage of Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, 'a handsome building…erected subsequently to the Bank of Ireland [see 15503008] and appearing from the similarity of its style to have been modelled from it' (Lacy 1863, 409), confirmed by such attributes as the compact square plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship; the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression; and the parapeted roofline. Having been reasonably well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of a harbour commissioners' office making a pleasing visual statement overlooking Crescent Quay: meanwhile, a benchmark remains of additional interest for the connections with cartography and the preparation of maps by the Ordnance Survey (established 1824). NOTE: Weathered marks have been attributed to fishermen sharpening their knives whilst awaiting the processing of import and export papers by the customs officials.