Main Block To The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

Main Block to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

An early 19th-century former residence, later converted to a hospital for women and children and most recently used as a bar, restaurant, and nightclub, with 19th, 20th and 21st-century extensions and alterations.

The building is constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond with stucco detailing and render applied to the north-west elevations. The roof is covered in slate, with cast iron rainwater goods and vents.

The plan is roughly rectangular, oriented on a north-east to south-west axis with the principal elevation facing south-east. The building comprises a square central block flanked by two symmetrical rectangular wings.

The central block rises three bays over two-and-a-half storeys beneath a hipped roof with a central valley. It is flanked by two recessed, symmetrical wings, each of three bays and two storeys with slate roofs hipped at the outer ends. The main entrance at the centre of this elevation is an arched doorway with a semi-circular fanlight, set within a Tuscan porch with entablature and triglyph frieze supported by columns. To the right of the entrance is a cast iron boot scraper. Either side of the porch are two sash windows, each flanked by pilasters carrying a segmental arch, with stucco sills extending to ground level. Above are three six-over-six sash windows in surrounds with projecting cornices. Above these are three square three-over-three sash windows in plain surrounds. The oversailing eaves to the central section feature modillions on the rear and side elevations. The rear, north-west, side of the central range is rendered and features sash windows with cornices and corbels. Broad string courses at plinth, first and second floor level extend across to the outer wings. Both wings feature 20th-century fire doors with nine-paned fanlights at ground floor level in corniced surrounds. Above each is a late 20th-century six-over-six sash window in plain surrounds with extended stucco sills. These windows also appear on the south-west elevation, either side of a truncated end stack. The north-east end is slightly extended and set back from the frontage, featuring two-over-two horned sashes with segmental arched brick heads to the ground and first floors. Windows to the rear of the outer wings are set within recessed, painted surrounds.

The main entrance leads into the former entrance hall, which retains 19th-century decorative ceiling cornicing with modillions and arched door surrounds. These, along with other 19th-century door and window surrounds, feature carved rosettes and fluted and panelled architraves. The walls to the ground and first floors have openings created during late 20th-century remodelling, with remaining wall sections indicating the former four-room plan. The first and second floors feature profiled skirting, dado and picture rails, architraves and some moulded cornicing and plaster detailing to the ceilings. Modern fixtures and fittings have been installed throughout.

Around the north-east and south-east perimeter of the front courtyard is a wall with railings and gate piers by Martin and Chamberlain. The decorative wrought iron railings surmount a low brick wall with a brick plinth and pointed stone coping. The gate piers are constructed of brick with three-tier Gothic stone caps and a plinth band. The pier at the east corner features a Gothic stone niche with an inscription recording the building of the wall and railing.