Numbers 1 And 2 And Attached Railings To Number 1

Numbers 1 and 2 are a pair of houses built between 1831 and 1839, with alterations made in the 20th century. They are constructed of red and brown brick in Flemish bond, featuring rubbed brick details and a slate roof. The buildings rise three storeys above a basement, each house having three windows across with the entrance positioned to the right. Stone steps lead up to a panelled door topped with roundels in a fanlight, all set within a wooden surround that has a keyed arch and imposts. The basement windows have segmental arches, while the upper floors feature flat brick arches and stone sills. The first and second floors on the right have restored 16-pane sash windows. Large multi-flue stacks sit on the ridge between the two properties.

The house at No.1 has wrought-iron railings with a top rail, which enclose the basement and flank the steps. At the rear, both houses have original round-arched stair windows with glazing bars. The right side facing Blackman Lane includes a shop entrance and late 20th-century windows at the front basement level.

The buildings are part of the second stage of the development originally known as Finsbury Square, as indicated on the Fowler map of 1831, and were completed by 1839. Although the oval gardens were laid out, the southern terrace was never constructed. Originally, the houses featured semicircular rear bay windows, similar to those that still exist at No.3.