Number 33 Eastgate Street National Westminster Bank, 33, Eastgate Street and Row

National Westminster Bank, 33 Eastgate Street (formerly Dixons or Parrs bank, also known as Westminster Chambers at No.3 St Werburgh Street)

A bank built in 1859–60 to designs by George Williams, constructed in yellow sandstone with a concealed roof. The building is listed Grade II* and includes the adjoining property at No.3 St Werburgh Street.

The main facade facing Eastgate Street is symmetrical and three storeys tall, with correct classical composition and detailing. The rusticated first storey features a high pierced plinth between two porches with round archways. The eastern porch serves as the main entrance and contains shaped double three-panel doors; the western porch, slightly narrower, leads by thirteen stone steps to the east end of the Row. The upper storeys are set back behind a four-column Corinthian blank portico. The second storey contains three tall two-pane unequal sashes with architraves and pediments on consoles; the third storey has a sillband and three two-pane sashes in architraves. On either side of the portico, one window-bay on each side repeats these sash designs on each storey, with straight cornices on consoles at the second storey and architraves at the third. The composition is completed with modillion cornices to the pediment and eaves, a panelled parapet with vase-balusters, and an attic course above the pediment.

The east side fronting St Werburgh Street is expressed more simply. The first storey shows the rusticated east side of the entrance porch, a lateral chimney with a round arch on brackets above a small-pane window, and three triplets of round-arched small-pane windows with radial-bar fans lighting the banking hall. The second storey has a floor-string and eight unevenly-spaced recessed sashes—three of eight-panes and five of twelve-panes—in eared architraves. The third storey contains three recessed eight-pane sashes and, in the lower northern portion, five shorter nine-pane sashes positioned above the twelve-pane sashes of the second storey; the cornice is returned from the Eastgate Street frontage.

The northernmost bay, formerly No.3 St Werburgh Street (Westminster Chambers), is probably of 1867–68, possibly designed by John Douglas in conjunction with Nos.31 Eastgate Street and 25 Eastgate Street Row. This section is executed in Vernacular Revival style, built of red sandstone and timber frame with plaster panels and a grey-green slate roof with a gable to the street. The first storey of sandstone contains a three-light mullioned and transomed leaded casement under a label-mould and a twelve-panel door with overlight in a Tudor-arched surround with carved spandrels and label. Stone brackets support the timber-framed second storey, which has close studding and one rail at transom-level, with a six-light mullioned and leaded casement; a small leaded casement occupies each corner beneath the boldly jettied third storey. The third storey displays close studding with carved braces and shaped panel-heads, along with two three-light leaded casements. The gable, like the third storey, is jettied on two shaped brackets and features panelled herringbone strutting and moulded bargeboards.

The attribution to John Douglas is tentative. Historical records indicate he negotiated with Chester City Council to set a building line back in St Werburgh Street in exchange for permission to jetty the verge, at the same time he submitted plans for rebuilding what was probably No.31 Eastgate Street/25 Row for James Dickson; this property abutted the yard of No.3 St Werburgh Street.

The banking hall interior features a richly panelled ceiling supported by four Ionic columns. The secondary entrance is accessed through No.3 St Werburgh Street. The upper storeys have been modernised internally.