8 Victoria Place

Cadw's description

Location

Situated in terraced row, the fourth house from Castle Square.

History

Part of a development at the entrance of the town by William Owen including the New Bridge and two terraces facing each other, now Nos 1 to 17 Victoria Place, completed in 1839. Part of the terrace, especially the eastern end, may date from before then. (See early C19 prints). The town improvements began as a result of a special Act of Parliament of 1835, but the terraces were named in commemoration of the accession of Queen Victoria in June 1837. The N terrace is plainer than that on the S, and has fewer houses, all with bracketed eaves, cornice over the ground floor and sill band to the top floor. The ground floors, all altered, had a square-headed recessed doorway and a tripartite sash window. No 2 has been demolished and No 10 is a replica of c. 1974, and No 12 occupies an important position with end elevation to the river. No 8 was occupied by A.G. Mackenzie, pianoforte dealer in 1926.

Exterior

Terraced house now commercial premises, painted stucco with slate roof and paired brackets to overhanging eaves. Three storeys, two bays with sill band at second floor and moulded cornice at first floor level. Windows are hornless sashes, nine-pane to top floor and 12-pane to first floor. Ground floor has a modern shop-front designed as a pair with that of No 6 with broad band of green stone above broad door to left of shopwindow with door recessed to right.

Interior

Ground floor modernised but original curving stair survives, with scrolled tread ends and square balusters.

Reason for designation

Included for its special architectural interest as part of a stuccoed terrace framing the approach to the High Street.