Soho House

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16/12/2014

SP 0589 SW 19/1 5104

Handsworth, B18, SOHO AVENUE, Soho House

(Formerly listed as Nos 5 to 11 (odd) Soho House Police Hostel.

Previously listed as Soho Hall Hotel)

25.4.52

II*

The enlargement over a long period of an unfinished mid C18 house acquired in 1766 by Matthew Boulton, whose home this was from 1766 to 1809. In 1789 Samuel and then in 1796 James Wyatt, was being employed. The principal front (now the garden facade) probably attributable to James Wyatt. Faced with painted slate in imitation of ashlar work. Two storeys plus attics; 7 bays with giant panelled Ionic pilasters left and right and either side of the centre bay. Ground floor with central semi-circular porch on Ionic columns and 6 windows. First floor with a central tripartite window on a sill band and an attic semi-circular tripartite window both within a tall arch and 6 first floor windows on a sill band and 6 almost square attic windows. All windows sashes with glazing bars. Entablature, moulded cornice and blocking course. Left and right, modern additions. Entrance hall with scagliola columns and, in the back wall, double doors flanked by niches. The doors lead into a room with 3 narrow transverse groin vaulted bays running from mock scagliola iron columns either side of recesses flanking the fireplace on the left to thin pilasters on the right; the entrance wall is bowed to match the shallow bow window at the far end of the room. The groin vaults, which are plastered, are probably carried on an iron frame or architrave.

Listing NGR: SP0533289078