15 And 17, Castle Street

CHESTER CITY (IM)

SJ4065NE CASTLE STREET 595-1/6/96 (South side) 28/07/55 Nos.15 AND 17

GV II

2 town houses, probably at first one of double plot-width. Later C17 altered during C18. Flemish bond brown brick; grey slate roof with 2 gables to front. EXTERIOR: cellars, 3 storeys and attics. 6 windows to each upper storey, probably formerly 7. Sandstone plinth, partly rendered and painted, has a 3-light window with chamfered mullions and a 1-light grating to No.15 and 2 altered mullioned windows to No.17; flush quoins of painted sandstone. Each house has 3 stone steps to a door of 4 margined panels above 2 flush panels with 3-pane overlight in moulded case with leaded hood. Each door has a damaged stone pilaster to each side, the west pilaster to No.15 retaining frieze and pyramidal cap; a vertical brick joint suggests possible former central doorway with flush stone quoins. Flush 12-pane sashes with gauged brick flat arches and no sills, 2 to the first storey, 3 to the second storey and 3 to the third storey of each house, some replaced and some covered. The third storey has opening for a former central window, blocked in old brick and there is more doubtful evidence of a former second storey central window. A good moulded lead head to a cast-iron rainwater pipe; moulded stone cornice; a 12-pane flush sash in each front gable, that to No.15 replaced; pineapple finials at corner and apex of each gable; 2 stone balls on valley parapet. 2 brick chimneys on west wall; east side not visible. The west side has 2 stair windows of 6 panes. 2 stone-coped rear gables. INTERIOR: cellars, not inspected in detail, have stone-mullioned windows. The first storey has door of 6 fielded panels to front room of No.15 which has panelled embrasures and 2 chamfered oak beams; the rear east room has 2 formerly stopped chamfered oak beams; The front room of No.17 has shuttered embrasures with benches, a corner fireplace and 2 stop-chamfered beams. Each house has a dogleg newel stair of painted oak with panelled newels, an intermediate rail and a moulded rectangular handrail; beams to landings. Upper rooms have chamfered oak beams, corner flues and, to the front, panelled embrasures with benches; most doors covered, but some of 2 fielded panels. The attics of both houses have oak purlins and diagonally-set ridge-trees; No.15 has a lightly timber-framed partition.

Listing NGR: SJ4055465912