Survey Data
Reg No
21513002
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Previous Name
Roches Stores
Original Use
Shop/retail outlet
In Use As
Shop/retail outlet
Date
1930 - 1950
Coordinates
157627, 157140
Date Recorded
15/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Corner sited attached multiple-bay four-storey Art Deco style commercial buildings, built c. 1940, with an angled corner entrance bay of tripartite windows to second and third floor level over a double-height polished limestone entrance, further emphasised by flanking bipartite window bays. A five-bay elevation faces O'Connell Street, and a twelve-bay elevation faces Sarsfield Street. Structure prolonged by large red brick extension, c. 1980, with a frontage on Sarsfield Street and Arthur's Quay. Roof concealed behind parapet entablature, with stepped acroteria to end bays, and blocking course stepping upwards over corner entrance bay. Elevations arranged with channel rusticated walls framing recessed smooth window bays articulated by stepped stylised Doric piers with fluted capitals, rising from first to third floor level. Modern glazed shopfront at ground floor level. Window bays further articulated by wrought-metal balconettes. Square-headed window openings throughout with painted sills and glazed with either nine-over-nine six-over-six or four-over-four timber sash windows. Polished granite doorcase rising to second floor level surmounted by a masonry balconettte with wrought-metal balustrade, having canted reveals and large glazed display window over entrance both separated by canopied display window, c. 1980.
Appraisal
This is a fine Art Deco style department store, which is virtually intact externally. It is situated at an important corner site and though its origins are relatively modern, it is the only corner building at this junction with architectural and historical significance, the remaining three sides having been rebuilt in more recent decades.