Victoria Terrace

Cadw's description

Location

Victoria Terrace is the most prominent building facing The Green. No 7 is entered from The Green.

History

Built by Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch, architects of York, and completed in 1833, for the corporation of Beaumaris. The terrace was the centrepiece of a plan to regenerate the declining port of Beaumaris by creating a fashionable resort. The terrace incorporated 10 houses let to middle class professionals and seasonal visitors. The plans of the double-depth houses differed little. Nos 1-4 and 7-10 had stair halls with open-well stairs. Nos 5 and 6, in the centre of the terrace, were slightly grander internally, having circular vestibules and a wider stair hall.

The houses were sold by the Corporation in 1937 and refurbishment was undertaken by Colwyn Foulkes, architect of Colwyn Bay. The main contractor was Ashworth Brothers of Rhos-on-Sea. Foulkes converted each house, with the exception of No 1, into 2 apartments, of which the lower incorporated the original basement and ground storeys, while the upper incorporated middle, upper and attic storeys and retained the original stairs. New stairs were built in the lower apartments. The upper apartments were entered from the rear, which was remodelled to include a balcony at first-floor level. Some of the front windows were replaced by steel-framed French doors, but were restored as sash windows in 2004. Steel-framed windows were also inserted in the rear elevation. Two dormers, on Nos 9 and 10, were also removed at this time and skylights have been inserted into the front and rear elevations.

Interior

Not inspected.

Reason for designation

Victoria Terrace is listed grade I as an outstanding and well-preserved late-Georgian terrace of national importance, and for its vital contribution to the historical integrity of Beaumaris sea front.