56-60, KING STREET

This is a substantial 17th-century building range originally comprising shops and a public house, with 19th-century additions and alterations. It is located on King Street and was undergoing restoration at the time of its last survey. The building incorporates elements from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, including early and late 19th-century rear ranges. The structure is primarily red brick with areas of brick and flint rubble. The roof is covered with pantiles.

The street-facing facade presents a symmetrical appearance, centering around a stack with stair access. Around 1700, the front was constructed with three stories and originally nine windows (two now blocked) on the second floor. A late 19th-century shop front is located on the right, featuring an inset side door and a simple fascia supported by consoles. The public house section has a plain 19th-century front with a central window and side door. A partly glazed door with a fanlight is situated between the public house and the shop, alongside a window. An original 17th-century carriage entry is positioned on the extreme left. The facade features alternating four 19th-century sash windows with glazing bars and rubbed brick flat arches, along with three blind window openings. The right-hand window has side lights. A molded brick stringcourse is visible above the carriage entry bay. 17th-century mullion and transom windows are present on the second floor, with bottom, side-hung lights; two of these are blocked, and the two right-hand windows have been replaced with 19th-century sash windows. The roofline is characterized by eight curving gablets and a central Dutch gable incorporating a dormer casement window. These gables were rebuilt in 19th century brick, likely reflecting the original design.

A two-story, three-bay block, dating to the early 17th century, extends at right angles to the street line, accessed via the carriage entry. This block contains ceiling beams with fine knicked chamfer stops. A double butt-purlin roof shows evidence of lost dormers. Across the width of this block and integrated into the street range are 16th-century ground floor ceiling beams. Beneath the early 17th-century block, undercroft passages run at right angles to the street line, featuring two bays with single-order diagonal ribs springing from wall piers. Two long side chambers extend beneath the yard, one on the north and west walls. A 19th-century staircase cuts through the original entry point. A three-story rear addition, extending to the right, has sash windows throughout and three gables. This entire building is designated as Grade II*, due to the significance of the undercroft, which is part of a notable grouping associated with the City Walls.