Crown Buildings

Crown Buildings is an office building constructed in 1886. It features red brick with stone dressings and a slate roof. The structure is four storeys high and consists of four bays, with a canted corner bay and an additional seven bays facing Preston Street. The ground floor has stone window openings that are flanked by colonnettes. The corner entrance is highlighted by a pointed arch and a crown finial beneath an ogival hoodmould. The spandrels are carved with foliage and the inscription "CROWN BUILDINGS A.D. 1886." Above, there is a corbelled cornice. The upper windows are designed with sill and lintel bands and include mullions and transoms. The corner bay features tripartite windows set on a moulded base, with cusped lower lights. One end bay has a small gable, while the corner is topped with an octagonal turret that has a Lombard frieze and a decorative cornice, culminating in a short spire with an iron finial. The stone pierced parapet adds to the building's character. The facade facing Preston Street is more utilitarian, with windows that have iron mullions and lintels set under relieving arches. The rear facade consists of six bays, featuring two gables and two loading bays.