Queens Square

Queens Square comprises two sections of offices, built in the late 19th century. The right-hand portion dates to 1898-99 and was designed by J.M. Bottomley and E.A. Whipham for the Tees Conservancy Commissioners; the left-hand section was completed around 1900 by E.A. Whipham for the Owners of the Middlesbrough Estate. Both sections are now used by Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority. The buildings are constructed of red brick in English bond, with terracotta bands, porches, and dressings, and have slate roofs with pierced clay ridge crestings on the later section. Rebuilt ridge and end stacks are prominent on the 1898 portion.

The overall architectural style is English Baroque. The 1898 section has two storeys and an attic, with seven bays defined by applied Composite Order details and pilaster strips. A central, segmental-pedimented porch features round-headed openings, rusticated pilasters, and an enriched tympanum, leading to mid-20th century doors and a fanlight via eleven steps. Segment-headed sash windows with rusticated archivolts and chamfered reveals are on the ground floor, with a cornice separating the floors. Moulded cross windows are on the first floor, and a segmental-plan oriel with a straight parapet is present in the two right-end bays. Blocked segment-headed basement windows are located in the fifth and sixth bays, with a foundation tablet in the second bay. Segment-headed mullioned attic windows are set under a shaped parapet, except in bays four, six, and seven, which feature three-light, square-headed windows under shaped gables. A flagpole stands at the right end.

The 1900, three-bay section has a similar porch with a balustraded parapet, set within the narrow left-end bay, leading to panelled double doors and a fanlight with glazing bars, eight steps up. It features segment-headed ground-floor windows with moulded timber mullions, transoms, and consoles on pilaster strips. A cornice separates the floors, and moulded-transomed first-floor windows are paired in the second and third bays, each under a pulvinated frieze and pediment with shaped aprons. Panelled composite pilasters between bays support a deep entablature and blocking course, topped by ball finials and a shaped gable over the entrance bay. Corniced end stacks include clasping pilasters and a pulviated frieze. The left gable is crow-stepped.

The interior of the 1898 section features segment-headed openings in the entrance hall and off corridors on both floors. The first-floor boardroom has wood panelling up to the plaster impost, with a five-bay segmental arcading on dividing walls, enriched with fruit, chains and crosses. This is topped by an enriched arms and trophies in the tympana, and a dentil cornice with enriched shields. The ceiling is a segmental arch with moulded ribs and a plain panelled frieze. West windows contain stained glass depicting maritime arms. The 1900 section has a patterned mosaic floor in its entrance hall. Both sections share panelled doors in wood architraves with pulvinated friezes, scrolled crestings, and pediments. Stone dogleg staircases have shaped tread ends, scrolled wrought iron balustrades, newels, and moulded wood handrails.