Numbers 5, 5A And 6 And Attached Railings And Lamp Holder

Numbers 5, 5A, and 6 are three houses, originally two, built in 1744 by Henry Flitcroft, possibly for JI Devall. They are situated on Bloomsbury Square and Bloomsbury Way, with Number 6 facing the square and Numbers 5 and 5A having a symmetrical facade on Bloomsbury Way with a return to Bloomsbury Square. The houses are constructed of darkened, multi-coloured stock brick with a stone bracketed cornice below a brick parapet and a stone band at first floor level. They have a tiled roof with dormers, and include an attic and basement.

The facade of Numbers 5 and 5A on Bloomsbury Way is symmetrical with the adjacent Number 23 Bloomsbury Way. It features seven windows (with two being blind), and a three-window return to Bloomsbury Square. A slightly projecting, pedimented centre bay contains a round arched doorway with a stone archivolt, a patterned fanlight, and a panelled door. Flanking the door are sashes with keystone blocks. Above, at first floor level, there is a round-headed sash flanked by two narrow square-headed sashes, all with a stone sill band. The second floor features a Diocletian-style window. Gauged brick flat arches feature over the recessed sash windows, with stucco archivolts; some retain their original glazing bars. The right-hand wing is blind apart from the left-hand window on the second floor. Lead rainwater heads and pipes are present.

Internally, original panelled rooms, fireplaces, and a restored stone staircase with a balustrade remain.

Number 6 has three windows and a stone architraved doorcase with console bracketed cornice, wood pilaster-jambs to the door frame, a fanlight, and a panelled, partly glazed door. It also features gauged brick flat arches over recessed sash windows with stucco archivolts, some with original glazing bars. The interior of Number 6 contains original panelling and features, though the staircase was altered in the early 19th century.

Attached cast-iron railings with urn finials define the areas, and an overthrow lamp-holder is also present. Number 6 was formerly the home of Isaac Disraeli, father of Benjamin Disraeli, as marked by a GLC plaque.