Malthouses Number 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 at Former Bass Maltings

A large group of parallel malt houses, dating from the mid-19th century, forming part of the former Bass Maltings complex. Built using red brick with a blue brick plinth, and a stone impost string connecting the giant blind arcading that defines the window bays. The gabled ends face the road and are topped with copings; slate roofs are present in some areas, with others tiled. Malthouses numbered 18 through 21 are set back from the road. These were erected by Bass & Co in 1853-54 and represent the first multi-storey floor maltings in the town. Their design, and a 200 quarter steeping capacity, established the standard size and style for Burton maltings. A key innovation introduced here for the first time was the pivoting windows, used to control ventilation on the germinating floors. The kilns, with their gabled fronts, are set at right angles to the germinating floors, bordering the barley garners. Malthouses numbered 16 and 17 were added in 1864 and replicate the design of the earlier buildings. These were constructed using an innovative plan, with a double malting range built end to end; the top floor was used for barley storage. The double gable end fronting the road repeats the blind arcading detail seen on the side elevations. At either end of the south front are gabled hoists supported by cast iron brackets, with cast iron handling platforms at second floor level, also supported by similar brackets and featuring iron trellis guard rails.