49-56, FIELDWAY

A group of eight houses dating from circa 1914, designed by G. L. Sutcliffe. The houses are constructed of brick, with some parts covered in roughcast, and have a tile roof. They are arranged in two ranges of six bays each, linked by a bridge spanning a footpath, creating a symmetrical design. The central four bays project forward, topped by brick gables that sweep down to form porches for numbers 54, 56, 53, and 55, with doors set back within the returns. The entrances to numbers 50, 52, 49, and 51 are recessed under porches with straight-headed tops. Originally fitted with small-paned casement windows, numbers 49, 51, 53, and 54 retain these; the others now have plate glass windows. First-floor windows in the outer bays are either low under the eaves or tall within half-dormers, which have weatherboarded cheeks. There are eight brick stacks. The linking bridge features planted timbers and a simple balcony overlooking an open loggia. This group forms the central block of the main square within the Wavertree Garden Suburb, representing a particularly advanced example of housing design for the time.