44 Cross Street

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on the main commercial street which runs from south-east to north-west across Abergavenny.

History

Possibly early C18 in origin, altered in the early C19 and with a late C19 style modern shopfront. A photograph of 1934 shows it with a larger shopfront with a fascia rising to the cills of the windows above, and the evidence of this survives on the building today. A parallel range seems to have been built against the back wall in the late C18 (see Exterior).

Exterior

Rendered and painted front with a natural slate roof. Apparently double depth plan but with later ranges built against the rear wall. Two storeys, three windows above a late C19 style modern shopfront. This has a recessed central double door with canted display windows on either side, low fascia which also covers the modern glazed house door to right. Windows above are 6 over 6 pane sashes with eared architraves, but no cills. Large timber dentil cornice, hipped roof with small gabled wing to rear left. A parallel range seems to have been built against the rear wing gable in the late C18. This is two storeys and garret with four windows showing above a single storey modern extension. The windows are 9 over 9 pane sashes. Steeply pitched roof with brick stack to either gable, garret windows in the gable. This elevation is only partially visible at the rear.

Interior

The ground floor shop shows no historic features. The main upper room is recorded as having panelling and an elaborate plaster cornice. The house added to the rear was not inspected.

Reason for designation

Included for its special interest as a probably early C18 house retaining good character, which has strong group value with the other historic buildings in Cross Street.