Parker's Buildings

Parker's Buildings is a block of 30 flats built in 1889 by architect John Douglas for the first Duke of Westminster, with direction from his nephew, Cecil Parker, who was the Eaton Estate agent. The building is constructed of common brick, featuring Ruabon red brick dressings and blue brick diapering.

The exterior consists of three storeys and has a three-bay symmetrical front, with each side containing five flats. The front features open staircases with basket arches at each storey, and there is a stone panel above the entrance inscribed with "AN'O D'NI : PARKER'S BUILDINGS : 1889". Wrought-iron railings adorn the upper archways, and there is a first-floor string course as well as a second-floor corbel table made of Ruabon brick. The windows have Ruabon brick mullions, segmental-arched heads, sills, and quoins, with three-light windows to the left of the entrance and a single-light window to the right. The sides also have similar open staircases, staggered in position, with those on the east side located near the ends and those on the west side near the centre. The roof features eight chimneys on the east slope, one on the rear gable, and nine on the west slope.

The interiors were refurbished by SJ Lomas for the Northern Counties Housing Association in 1982. Historically, the exterior of Parker's Buildings is noted for its severe and regimented design, which contrasts with Douglas's usual warmer compositions and detailing, likely reflecting the influence of Cecil Parker. Parker consulted with the secretary of the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company and arranged for Douglas to study their Stalbridge Buildings in London before designing this block.