47, Spring Gardens

8498 SW SPRING GARDENS (east side) no. 47

3/10/74 II

Insurance company offices, now commercial premises. 1881, by Charles Heathcote and Sons, for Commercial Union Assurance Company. Sandstone ashlar, slate roof Triangular plan on acutely-angled end-of-block site, with curved south end. Baroque style. Three storeys and attics, plus a roof turret; a 3-bay main range, with a segmentally-bowed bay to the right, and to the south of this a tapering curved wing (like the prow of a ship, giving the impression that the building is sailing down the street). Grey granite plinth, pilastered ground floor with entablature and cornice, slender Corinthian semi-columns to 1st floor with entablature and cornice, slender panelled pilasters to 2nd floor with plain frieze, bracketed cornice and panelled parapet; all these carried round. The main range has a square-headed doorway to the 3rd bay, with granite surround, a carved cartouche on the bow to the right, and mullion-and-transom windows with moulded surrounds; the upper floors of the bowed bay to the right have single-light windows with transoms; and the acutely-curved south corner of the wing has three single-light windows on each floor. The attic has elaborately decorated pedimented gables, and over the curved 4th bay a Baroque turret with slender tiered and domed cupola. Interior not inspected. Elegant architectural use of awkward site, forming a focus to the junction of several streets.

Listing NGR: SJ8404798228