2 The Cross

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 30/03/2016

SO8455SE 620-1/12/598

WORCESTER THE CROSS (East side) No.2

(Formerly listed as Premises occupied by Bradford and Bingley Building Society, No.2 previously Listed as: THE CROSS (East side) Union Club (Westminster Bank))

22/05/54

GV II* House, then club, now banking hall. Early C18 with later additions and alterations. Reddish-brown brick with dark red gauged brick flat arches, stuccoed ground floor and detailing, ashlar quoins,sills and architraves; hipped plain tile roof and end brick stacks at left and right with oversailing course and pots. 4 storeys, 4 first-floor windows. Quoins to full height. Stucco detailing includes swags below second and third-floor windows; acanthus keystones to first, second and third-floor windows. First floor: continuous ashlar sill band, tall 6/6 flush sashes. Second floor has 6/6 flush sashes. Third floor has 3/6 flush sashes. Second- and third-floor windows have moulded sills. First, second and third-floors have flat arches. Crowning dentil frieze and modillion cornice with paterae between. Ground floor: three 6/4 sashes with replacement scrolled keystones. Entrance to left: flight of steps to 6-panel door, lower panels flush beaded, upper panels raised and fielded, in panelled reveals and with fluted frieze, fanlight with radial glazing bars and swags. Doorcase has 3/4 engaged Ionic columns and open dentil pediment. Left return: 5 first-floor windows. First, fourth and fifth bays have blind openings, otherwise 6/6 and 3/3 sashes where original with 6/6 and 6/1 staircase sashes with radial glazing bars to heads and round arches. Rear has 6/6 and 3/3 sashes where original.

INTERIOR: noted as retaining original joinery and plasterwork including panelled reveals to some windows; to first floor a fireplace with chimneypiece with overmantel. Embellished cornices to first floor.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Forms part of a significant group of listed buildings including Premises occupied by Costa, Premises occupied by Lloyds Bank, Church of St Nicholas and Nos 20, 21, 28 and 31 The Cross (qqv). These all form an important visual framework for this entrance to the city centre. Alternative map no. SO 8555 SW