Prudential Assurance Buildings

The Prudential Assurance Buildings is an office building constructed in 1889 by Alfred Waterhouse. It is made of brick with terracotta dressings and features a red plain tiled roof. The structure consists of three storeys raised over a basement, with an attic. The façade has a three-window range and includes recessed polygonal towers flanking the entrances on each side.

At the ground floor, there is a polished granite plinth and piers supporting a round-arched entrance set in a shallow projecting gabled porch. The ground floor features three wide round-arched windows, each consisting of three lights with small upper panes. Above these windows, raised lettering spells out "Prudential Assurance Buildings." The upper floors contain three-light mullioned and transomed windows, adorned with decorative terracotta panelled architraves and cartouches. The second floor windows are similar in design. A lozenge frieze runs below the modillion eaves cornice.

The roof has new dormer windows and gable end stacks, while the angle towers feature two-light transomed windows on three faces, also with decorative terracotta dressings. An attic storey sits above the cornice, with interlace decoration on the frieze over the attic windows. The west return is finished in white glazed brick and includes a long two-storeyed wing with five wide segmentally-arched windows, along with smaller windows in the service range beyond. The east return is made of brick and terracotta, with a canted angle leading to the rear gable. A rear range runs parallel to the street, linking the two wings.

Inside, the main hall boasts an ornate plaster panelled ceiling and tiled walls.