1 Buckingham Place

Cadw's description

Location

Forming the SW corner as Glamorgan Street turns N to become Wheat Street.

History

Important mid or earlier C16 town house of stone of 2 original extant wings at right angles, probably a domestic block and a kitchen block (Nos 1 and 3) linked diagonally by an early C19 wing (No 2).
Early C17 fabric in E part of S wing (No 3). This house belonged in late C16 and C17 to the Awbrey Family and a stone bearing the Awbrey Arms was discovered during the course of alterations above a former fireplace beneath wooden panelling. No 3 had a first floor hall and oriel window in the S gable.
The house was occupied by Bishop Lucy (Bishop of St David's at the Restoration) in the 1660s) Theatrical performances were held here in the 1680s by a London company. During the late C18 and early C19 No 3 was used as a meeting house. There was a remodelling in 1824, when the present No 2 was built linking the older blocks. Connections were once made by historians between this site and the Buckingham family, but the structure (or this part of Glamorgan Street) only took its present name in 1860 when the Brecon Town Council and Board of Health proposed that "the alterations at Alderman Mayberry's House be pitched, as a great portion was given to the street and had greatly improved it" and should be called Buckingham Place.

Exterior

No 1, to R, has street front of 2 windows with large gabled attic with lunette window. On first floor, to L, a tripartite sash, to R, a 4-pane sash. On ground floor, to L, a tripartite sash, to R, a doorway with reveals and cornice. Right return has an arched tall stair window, and smaller sash on ground floor to L. To rear, block in cement render with double-pitch slate roof. To rear, No 1 has a window of 2 camber-headed lights under square hoodmould on first and second floors in S return.

Interior

No 3 has fine early C19 curving stair, and late C18 or early C19 panelled doors and doorcases. C17 ovolo moulded ceiling beams. On ground and first floors, recently uncovered stone large fireplaces (C17?) with moulded surrounds; that to ground floor with arched head; that to first floor with square head.

Reason for designation

Graded II* for its origins as important mid C16 town house with exceptional surviving C16, C17 and Georgian features both external and internal. Group Value.