Countess Of Chester Hospital (Original Block)

The Countess of Chester Hospital, originally known as Deva Hospital, is a former mental hospital that now serves as offices. It was built between 1827 and 1829 by William Cole junior of Chester and was formerly the Cheshire County Lunatic Asylum. The building underwent additions around 1840 and 1849, with internal alterations made from 1852 to 1970. It is constructed of red brick with ashlar dressings and features hipped slate roofs.

The original block consists of two and three storeys above a basement, presenting a symmetrical elevation with 19 windows arranged in a pattern of 3:5:3:5:3. The basement is painted, and there is a ground floor band, a moulded cornice, and a blocking course. The windows are of various types with glazing bars and brick flat arches.

The projecting central block has three storeys and features bands on each floor, along with a pediment that contains the County Arms, added around 1840. The windows are glazing bar sashes with wedge lintels. An Ionic porch in antis is approached by divided stone steps within balustrade walls, leading to a four-panel door with sidelights and an overlight.

The side ranges exhibit regular fenestration, while the projecting end pavilions have tripartite central windows on each floor, supported by heavy mullions. The returns have similar fenestration and projecting end bays. The rear central block has canted corners, and an addition of two storeys features regular fenestration and a wider terminal bay with three windows.

The wings added in 1849 are three storeys high with seven windows arranged in a pattern of 2:1:1:2, forming an E-plan. These wings also have bands on each floor and moulded cornices. The projecting central bay features a canted bay window with three lights, while the side bays have unusual tripartite mullioned windows on the first floor with cambered lintels, and similar two-light windows on the second floor. The projecting central rear bay has canted corners.

The interior has been significantly altered but includes a stone cantilever open well staircase with double iron stick balusters and a ramped handrail.