Survey Data
Reg No
41402214
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Previous Name
Tower House
Original Use
House
In Use As
Building misc
Date
1860 - 1880
Coordinates
260008, 316707
Date Recorded
17/04/2012
Date Updated
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Description
Detached L-plan single-storey house with attic, built c.1870, having three-bay short wing and five-bay long wing. Two-storey octagonal-plan tower to corner of L, and canted gable-fronted entrance porch to front elevation. Single-storey extension to rear, and conservatory extension to south of same. Now in use as retreat centre for religious community. Hipped and pitched tiled roofs, spired roof to tower, red brick corbelled eaves course with cut stone to corners of tower. Square-plan red brick chimneystack. Some ogee-profile cast-iron guttering, with round-profile down pipes, some cast-iron some recent uPVC replacement. Tooled stone copings to open-bed pediment to porch, having ogee detail to apex. Red brick walls with projecting render plinth. Pointed-arch chamfered loop to porch pediment. Square-headed window openings with cut granite sills and carved granite label-mouldings. One-over-one pane margined timber sliding sash windows to ground floor front elevation, mixed replacement uPVC and replacement timber windows to other openings. Recent roof-lights. Tudor-arch door opening to porch, having recent timber door and over-light. Set back from road in landscaped grounds with recent red brick outbuildings to rear.
Appraisal
Formerly named Tower House, due to the octagonal-plan tower which dominates the facade, this building remains an impressive local landmark. The tower combines with the other roof surfaces to create an interesting and varied silhouette to the skyline. Like many buildings in the Dawson Grove area, locally made red brick is used, which adds texture and colour to the building, enlivened by the contrast with the cut-stone label-mouldings. The retention of timber sash windows to the front adds a pleasing patina of age to the site.