National Hospital for Neurology

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TQ3082SW 798-1/95/1742

CAMDEN QUEEN SQUARE (North East side) National Hospital for Neurology

09/12/97

GV II

Hospital. 1883-1885. By MP Manning and J Simpson. Red Suffolk brick with Doulton's terracotta cornices and string courses; tiled roof. Single rectangular block, originally fronted earlier building which no longer survives.

PLAN: symmetrical composition around central block: projecting blocks with recessed link to flanking pavilions.

EXTERIOR: three storeys plus attic and basement. 22 bays altogether. Venetian windows and carved brick in pavilion gable ends; triangular pediments on second floor. Tall, narrow round-headed windows with hoods above and pediments on second floor. Tall, narrow round-headed windows with hoods above and aprons below on the first floor. Rusticated brickwork on ground storey. Handsome terracotta entrance porch with voussoirs. Recessed terracotta balustraded loggias to link blocks, in French Renaissance style. Ornate blind aedicules on north pavilion flank wall.

INTERIOR: entrance foyer, offices, board room and chapel on ground floor; wards above. Doric screen between foyer and main staircase compartment. Staircase rises to first floor against rear wall, dominated by large Venetian window with stained glass. Chapel to right of entrance, rectangular in plan, lit by octagonal dome with coloured glass border. Green marble Corinthian columns and pilasters. Plain frieze with dentilled cornice. Coved ceiling. Stained glass window behind altar dates from 1885. Board room to right of entrance also, fronting Queen Square, panelled and with fitted cupboards having leaded glazed fronts; elaborate wooden mantelpiece above faience surround fireplace inset with De Morgan tiles.

HISTORICAL NOTE: the hospital was founded in 1860 by Louisa and Joanna Chandler for the care of people with paralysis and people with epilepsy.. Money for this block was raised by HRH Duke of Albany and opened by his brother Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1884.

(The Builder: 22 May 1880; The Builder: 7 July 1883; Building News: 27 June 1884; Building News: 3 July 1885; Holmes G: The National Hospital in Queen Square, 1860-1948: London: 1954-).

Listing NGR: TQ3037582032