B Block

SJ 4065 NW CHESTER CASTLE CASTLE SQUARE

4/606 B Block

GV I

Armoury now Officers' Mess. 1804. By Thomas Harrison of Chester. Cuyper sandstone ashlar from the Manley quarries and Bunter sandstone ashlar with slate roofs and lead flashings. Two storeys. Facade facing Castle Square: 9 bays with high projecting plinth supporting monolithic ½-columns of Greek Doric form between bays and at the ends. These support a projecting plain entablature with parapet above resting on slightly projecting plinth and divided by projecting piers. Between the floors and set between the ½-columns is a series of plain panels with moulded surrounds forming a sort of decorated band. Central ground floor double doorway with doors of 3 panels each with rectangular overlight. Moulded surround and pedimental overdoor supported on fluted consoles which terminate in roundels. Ground floor sash windows to either side of 3 x 4 panes (as are all the ground floor windows of the block) here with aedicular surrounds of compressed entablature supported by fluted consoles. First floor sash windows of 3 x 2 panes. Arch way adjoining front at left and joining with lateral colonnade of Assize Courts Block (q.v.), of rusticated stone with segmental arch, dentilled cornice and central panel to parapet with moulded surround. Left hand side: 3 bays. Slightly projecting high plinth; panel between floors and entablature as at front. Central double ground floor doors with rectangular fanlight above and blank windows to either side. Central sash window to first floor of 3 x 3 panes with blank windows to either side. Right hand side of 3 bays with plinth, panel and entablature as at left. Blank central window with sash windows to either side of 3 x 4 panes. First floor central window 3 x 2 sash panes with blank windows to either side. The front and side elevations were paid for by the county, the rear by the government. Of major importance as an element in the composition formed of the Assize Court Block, Propylaea and A and B Blocks.

Sources: Frank Simpson - "Chester Castle AD 907-1925". Journal of the Architectural, Archaeological and His- toric Society, Chester and North Wales. New Series Vol.XXVI Part II.

Nikolaus Pevsner and - The Buildings of England : Cheshire. Edward Hubbard

J Mordaunt Crook - "The Architecture of Thomas Harrison". Country Life, 22 April 1971.

Moira A R Ockrim - "Thomas Harrison and the Rebuilding of Chester Castle: A History and Reassessment". Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society. Vol.66, 1983.

Listing NGR: SJ4050365806