HSBC Bank

Cadw's description

Location

On the street line.

History

Mid-Victorian bank building, built after the demolition of the Swan Inn on this site in 1873. Modern alterations to the ground floor. Around 1882 the so-called County Club was established in rooms above the bank; this soon developed into the Constitutional or Conservative and Unionist Club, which subsequently relocated to new premises in Portland Place in 1892. Richard Lloyd Williams, the Borough Architect, acted as the club secretary in its early years.

Exterior

Two-and-a-half storey bank building in simple Gothic style. Of snecked limestone with yellow sandstone dressings; renewed slate roof with decorative tiled ridge. Symmetrical 3-bay facade with the central bay conceived as a 2-storey porch projection. The ground floor of the latter has a tall Tudor-arched, chamfered entrance with returned and moulded label having foliated stops. The returns have sloping buttresses flush with the front; 6-panel moulded double doors. The upper stage is in the form of a canted stone bay which sits upon the semi-octagonal upper section of the porch, achieved by splaying the sides at its top. This has a hipped roof with original slates and lead flashings; moulded cornice. A modern bank sign is affixed to the base of this bay and is returned on both sides. Large plain-glazed modern windows in plain primary openings to the ground floor, flanking the porch. The first floor has paired sashes and the second single sashes contained within large gabled dormers with coped and kneelered parapets.

Interior

Interior not inspected at the time of survey.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special interest as a Victorian bank building retaining good later C19 external character.

Group value with other listed items in Vale Street.