78, 80 AND 82, HIGH STREET

This property comprises three buildings – two houses and an office – dating to approximately the 1840s. Constructed using Flemish bond brickwork, characterized by red stretchers and blue headers, with a decorative slate hipped roof, the buildings form an ‘L’ shape, encompassing a corner plot with Gold Street.

The High Street elevation features a modillioned eaves cornice and a stucco frieze ornamented with foliate scrollwork. Three large red brick stacks are prominent. The second floor has three square, plain double-hung sash windows set within segmental headed moulded stucco surrounds. The first floor has three semicircular headed plain double-hung sashes, similarly framed. A deep stucco band runs above the ground floor. The ground floors of numbers 78 and 80 each feature a plain double-hung sash window in a stucco surround, and matching surrounds to their doors, which have rectangular fanlights and stone steps. Basement areas are defined by wrought-iron railings, with segmental headed windows providing light. Number 78 has a five-panel door, while number 80 has a contemporary door of two vertical panels. Number 82 features a similar door surround, now with a 20th-century glazed panel door, and small-paned shopfronts forming a slight bow.

The corner section, facing Gold Street, has a quadrant curve and is slightly recessed. The Gold Street elevation’s second floor has two blind window recesses and one 12-paned double-hung sash. The first floor features two semicircular headed blind recesses and a plain double-hung sash in a semicircular headed opening. The rear elevation of number 82 displays two infilled openings and a small-paned double-hung sash, both with apron panels below. The first floor has two semicircular headed blind recesses and a staircase window with a semicircular head and radiating glazing bars. The rears of the terrace houses have two small-paned double-hung sashes on the first two floors, one of which has a semicircular head, serving as a stair window. Ground floors have a single double-hung sash and a rear door.

The interior of number 80 includes a dogleg staircase with column newels, stick balusters, and a continuous curved soffit. The front windows have internal folding shutters, and a wealth of original period features, including panelled doors. A pilastered fireplace is present in the front ground floor room. The entrance hall features a rear arch to the staircase, supported by decorative corbels.