Sketchley

1. 1260 TM 1644 NW 1/138

NORTHGATE STREET (West Side) No 3 (Sketchley)

II GV

2. Formerly shown as Northgate House. A large early C19 building with an interesting history. It was begun in 1809 and opened in 1821 as the New Assembly Rooms. It was launched under public subscription but the sum obtained was not sufficient and the building became, in succession, a school of art, the Ipswich Girls School, a motor works and clothing factory. It is now a dry cleaning works. The west front is of grey gault brick with a parapet and cornice. 3 storeys. 5 window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in plain reveals. Raised bands run at the 1st and 2nd storey window sill levels and the centre part, of 3 window range breaks forward slightly. The 1st storey windows have balustraded recessed panels beneath the sills. The ground storey is very tall, almost 2 storeys in height, with semi-circular arched windows with keystone at the outer ends, framed by pilasters (the inner ones Ionic). The centre part is now a C20 shop window.

All the listed buildings in Northgate Street except Garden Wall to No 9 form a group with No 43 (Great White Horse Hotel) Tavern Street, No 2 Great Colman Street and part of Nos 2 to 12 (even) St Margaret's Plain.

Listing NGR: TM1647244677