53, 53A, 55 AND 57, PARADE

ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA

SP3165NE PARADE 1208-1/7/265 (East side) 01/01/70 Nos.53, 53A, 55 AND 57

GV II

Three houses, now shops. c1818-30 with later additions and alterations including c1900 shop front to left (No.53); mid-C20 shop fronts to ground floors to 2 right dwellings (Nos 55 & 57). Pinkish-brown brick with painted stucco facades, concealed roof and cast-iron balcony. EXTERIOR: 4 storeys, 7 first-floor windows arranged 2-3-2. The centre bay projects from first floor and is taller. Ground floor has remains of horizontal rustication. From first through second floor are 12 Tuscan pilasters, 2 to each end of outer bays, 1 to each end of central projection and 1 between each window. Frieze with wreaths, cornice. First floor has tall 6/9 sashes with blind boxes. Second floor has 6/6 sashes with sills. Third floor has 3/6 sashes. All windows have plain reveals. Cornice, low parapet, copings, with central panel containing anthemion decoration, dentil frieze, cornice, low parapet, copings. Ground floor: pair of original entrances to Nos 53A & 55 with common tristyle Roman Doric porch with frieze and cornice. 3 roll-edged steps to ornate-panelled doors, that to left part-glazed; overlights, with glazing bars to left. Plain reveals, tooled surrounds and horizontal rustication. Otherwise, entrance to left (No.53) a plate-glass door within projecting glazed shop front with panelled plinth and decorative pilasters, continuous overlight. End stacks. First floor has continuous balcony projecting over porch with Carron Company double-heart-and-anthemion motif balustrade. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORICAL NOTE: originally Lillington Lane, it was re-named Union Row c1809 and then Union Parade in 1814 with most building activity to the lower section c1810-1818 and to the upper section, east side from 1824-1840. Built as houses, hotels and lodging-houses, by 1850 most had become shops.

Listing NGR: SP3178665986