Midland Bank

Cadw's description

Location

On the W corner with Woodland Road West.

History

Originally the N and S Wales Bank Ltd, the bank is the work of Wolfall and Eccles, architects, 1903-4, remodelling an earlier building which formed part of a terrace of c1880.

Exterior

White ashlar with hipped slate roof with axial stacks. 2 storeys, 4- window range to Conway Road, and 3- window return to Woodland Road West. On the Conway Road elevation, there are 5 windows to the banking hall, which is articulated by corbelled pilasters and triglyph frieze. 2-window return to Woodland Road West, the left hand window in advanced rectangular bay. Upper windows have brackets to entablature hoods, and in the Conway Road elevation, are paired to either side of a raised panel which is lettered with the banks original name. Entrance to right of return elevation, in projecting porch surmounted by a steep pediment; moulded round-arched doorway with heavy arched doorway with heavy scrolled bracket to arch, and fluid low reliefs in the spandrels. Balustraded parapet above heavy projecting eaves cornice. Beyond the main building in Woodland Road West, 2 further blocks are recessed slightly from the
main building line. These have 2-pane sash windows in moulded architraves to
first floor, and wide windows to ground floor. Pediment with triglyph frieze over the left hand window of the ground floor. Cornice and blocking course.

Interior

Ornate ceiling to banking hall, deeply coved, and divided by heavy ribs with low relief foliate swags. Shields of arms etc. in relief in wall panels.

Reason for designation

A good example of a small-scale bank building which uses a distinctive architectural vocabulary to emphasise its commercial purpose, and which retains a fine banking hall.