The Oxford, 2, 3, 4 & 4A China Street

Cadw's description

Location

To the S of the Old Market Hall, and to the R of the National Westminster Bank.

History

Built in 1902 (date on building).

Exterior

Edwardian freestyle building comprising a row of 4 unequal shops, with residential upper floors, of 5 bays, of which the central three are 3-storey, whereas the outer bays are 2 storeys with attics. Built of brick with freestone dressings, slate roof on projecting eaves with dentil soffit, and brick stack on the R end. Cast-iron rainwater goods are retained, one head dated 1902. There are rusticated pilaster strips to the angles, between the central bays in the upper storey, and framing No 4. Numbers 2 and 3 have floor-length plate-glass windows and slender round mullions with Ionic capitals, and entrances set back in recesses with decorative tile floors. Each has a plain fascia on a dentil course and half-glazed panel doors under margin-lit overlights. Between Numbers 2 and 3 is a through passage to the rear of the building. Number 4 is wider and double-fronted. It has similar windows to Numbers 2 and 3 and, in a recess with tiles floor, double half-glazed doors under an overlight with glazing bars. Number 4A is classical in style, with ashlar round-headed doorway and 2 windows, of brick below the sill. The openings all have half columns with Ionic capitals, and finely moulded arches with keystones. The door is panelled under an overlight with radiating glazing bars, and the fixed replacement windows are also under original radial glazing. The fascia is similar to Numbers 2 and 3.

Above the ground floor the 3 central bays have double-height canted oriel windows (although Number 4 has replacement uPVC), under projecting pediments with dentil soffits. The pediments are decorated with stucco cartouches with putti, of which the central is inscribed The Oxford. In the outer bays there are similar canted oriel windows in the first floor and flat-roofed 2-light dormers. The R-hand gable end, above is slate hung.

Interior

Not inspected.

Reason for designation

Listed, notwithstanding some window replacement, as a prominent, ambitious and well-detailed Edwardian commercial building in the centre of Llanidloes, and for group value with other adjacent listed items, including the Old Market Hall.