Portland Hall

SOUTHPORT

SD31NW PORTLAND STREET 664-1/1/144 (North East side) No.41 Portland Hall

II

Museum, subsequently concert hall, theatre, and other uses; now private dwelling. 1863, altered. Front range of orange brick in stretcher bond, with painted sandstone dressings, slate roof. Late Georgian style. Double-depth double-fronted plan with large hall attached to rear. EXTERIOR: gabled facade of 2 storeys and attic; 3-window range. Symmetrical, with rusticated quoins and plain band to pedimental gable. The ground floor has a large square-headed doorway with moulded surround, shallow pediment on consoles, glazed and panelled double doors with side windows and a 3-light overlight (restored), flanked by windows with corniced architraves. First floor has windows with eared architraves. All these windows have raised sills on small brackets, and all are now 4-pane top-hung casements imitating sashes. The gable contains an oblong 4-light casement with a shallow curved lintel. Side-wall chimneys. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORY: opened in 1863 as the Royal Museum of Natural History; converted to Royal Music Hall in 1867; renamed in 1871 as Concert and Assembly Rooms, and in 1874 as Vaudeville Theatre; roller-skating rink in late 1870s; office and works of Southport Daily News in early 1880s, drill hall of Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers in late 1880s, and furniture warehouse from 1890 to 1988.

Listing NGR: SD3362916740