The Place And Attached Railings

This building is a drill hall, now serving as headquarters and a theatre for a contemporary dance trust. It was constructed between 1888 and 1889 by RW Edis for the 20th Middlesex (Artists') Rifle Volunteers, built by Charles Kynoch and Company of Clapham. The building is of yellow stock brick with terracotta dressings and a slated gabled roof. The roof features crested ridge tiles, four pedimented dormers, and a central Flemish gable with a pediment and chimney stack. Moulded terracotta eaves form rainwater heads between the dormers.

The symmetrical facade, in a Queen Anne style, has a slightly projecting central bay. The building has two storeys, attics, and a basement, featuring five windows. The central entrance is distinguished by a fine terracotta doorcase with banded pilasters supporting an entablature inscribed "20th Middlesex Artists R.V." A broken pediment tops the doorcase, bearing a distinctive cartouche medallion depicting the heads of Mars and Minerva in profile, sculpted by Thomas Brock. The entrance has part-glazed double doors. The windows are terracotta-architraved; the ground floor windows are mullioned, and those on the first floor have transoms and mullions, all with cornices and aprons. Continuous terracotta bands form sills and brackets, with rainwater heads at the angles. An enriched terracotta head features above the central attic window.

The interior is simple, with a staircase panelled to half-height and arched at the landings. Attached cast-iron railings are present to the areas.

The Artists' Rifles was founded in 1859 by Edward Stirling, with an initial membership including notable artists such as Leighton, Millais, Rossetti, Morris, Watts, Val Prinsep and Burne-Jones. The building’s design and construction reflect its historical associations and are notable for their quality terracotta work and sculptural enrichment. The architect, Sir Robert William Edis, was also colonel, and the building was opened by the Prince of Wales.