1-7, Constitution Hill B19

CONSTITUTION HILL 1. 5104 City Centre B19 Nos 1 to 7 (odd) SP 0687 NE 25/5 25.2.81 II 2. 1896 built as works and offices for H B Sale, architects William Doubleday and Shaw. Narrow triangular site with Hampton Street. Four storeys, dark red brick elevations, terracota dressed, with swept shaped gables, the dominating feature of the design is the striking 5 storey circular tower at the apex of the site, faced in red terracotta. The upper floors are corbelled out from the base and are richly ornamented with freely handled decorated forms terminating in a galleried cupola that is of transitional Spanish Romanesque derivation (Salamanca a Zamora). Shafted first floor windows, and bold ogee arches and drips to 2nd floor. Between the second and third floors lush almost Richardsonian floral decoration setting off the initials of H B Gale in large sinuous caps. Medieval heads projecting from roundel plaques in spandrels of first floor window arches. The swept gable side elevations have lively fenestration principally on tripartite theme: segmental arcading containing ground floor windows and doors; group of 2 and 3 light windows with lobed shaped over arches on first floor and round arched galleried windows to upper floors. Parapet heightened between gables on Hampton Street. The building holds a very commanding position in the townscape.

Listing NGR: SP0678887646