15,17, NELSON STREET

15 and 17 Nelson Street is a house that possibly dates back to the 17th century and was re-fronted around 1740 for the Browne family, who were merchants. It was occupied by the Health Authority until 1989. The building is made of brown brick and has a plain tiled roof. The east front features three storeys with six bays, marked by rusticated stone quoins that rise to a cornice and parapet. The entrance is slightly off-set to the right and is framed by engaged Tuscan columns that support a pediment above a plain frieze. The panelled door is set beneath a five-vaned fanlight within a round arch. The sash windows have glazing bars and are topped with gauged skewback arches. The returns of the building have blind windows and show the chimney breasts that rise at the peaks of the gabled roof. Attached to the south is the single-storey No. 17, which has been part of the premises since the 19th century. This section features two sashes with glazing bars to the left of a timber doorcase that supports a pediment with keystones and a pair of consoles. It also has a parapet and a plain tiled roof. The top floor of the north side has two mid-18th century sashes with glazing bars.

Inside, a door leads into a barrel-vaulted passage with one groined bay. To the left is a staircase hall that contains an open well staircase with wrought-iron balusters and a ramped and wreathed timber handrail. The north wall has a pedimented ornamental picture surround, and the ceiling features large geometric plaster designs. The top floor east rooms have re-used small-frame 17th-century panelling. The main ground-floor south room is notable for its very large-framed panelling, modillion plaster cornice, and mahogany doors. The principal first-floor rooms are similar in style. The roof of the rear wing is of purlin and rafter type, with all common rafters cut and replaced in the 20th century. The roof of the front range is not accessible.