Survey Data
Reg No
50930194
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
House
In Use As
Office
Date
1855 - 1865
Coordinates
316425, 232826
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 houses, Nos 29-33. North bay of rear elevation bowed and two-stage flat-roofed return to south-bay rear. Now in use as offices. M-profiled natural slate roof with angled terracotta ridge tiles, recent skylight inserted to west pitch, roof concealed by ashlar granite parapet with moulded cornice and granite cornice, cement rendered shared chimneystack to north party wall having clay pots. Parapet gutters, cast-iron rainwater goods to rear. Red brick walls in Flemish bond over rusticated granite walling to ground floor over random ashlar stone basement, beneath pole-moulded granite stringcourse. Square-headed window openings with brick voussoirs, patent reveals, projecting granite sills, replacement one-over-one timber sashes with horns and decorative cast-iron balconettes to first floor windows. Bipartite window opening to basement with block-and-start granite surround, granite lintel, timber transom and pair of one-over-one timber sashes. Iron guard rails affixed to surround at second floor windows. Horizontally aligned two-over-two timber sashes to rear, round-headed two-over-two sash to third floor with coloured glass margin lights. Copper-clad flat-roof to split-level return, with two-over-two sash window and iron balconies to bowed bay, connecting to fire escape stair. Round-headed opening to main (east) elevation with rendered reveals, projecting Ionic columned entablature, with replacement plain glass fanlight and timber four-panelled painted beaded muntin door with brass door ornament. Granite entrance platform approached by one granite step. Original cast-iron railings to basement area on granite plinth. Recent steel stairs to basement level. Pavement with coal hole cover. Recent brick boundary wall to rear Two-storey converted office mews building to rear having pitched slate roof with rendered walling, carriage-arch and multi-paned timber sash windows (some tripartite). Street-fronted on western side of Fitzwilliam Place.
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.