Highgate Branch Library And Attached Railings, Piers And Lamp Holders

CAMDEN

TQ2886NE CHESTER ROAD 798-1/13/211 (South side) 02/11/95 Highgate Branch Library and attached railings, piers and lamp-holders

II

Library. 1906. By William Nisbet Blair, St Pancras Borough Engineer. 1930s rear single storey extension originally for children's library. Red brick with terracotta dressings. EXTERIOR: single storey with attic over central bay. Symmetrical design of 3 bays. Central bay forms a distyle-in-antis arcaded stone loggia with Corinthian capitals and terracotta keystones, flanked by brick pilasters supporting a dentil pediment with Diocletian window having terracotta architrave and keystone; above arcading a plaque inscribed "Highgate Branch Library". All windows with glazing bars. Recessed round-arched central window flanked by entrances, each with pedimented terracotta doorcase and panelled double doors. Identical flanking bays repeat arcading in brick with terracotta keystones having 3 windows each. Above arcading terracotta balustrades with brick dies surmounted by terracotta urn finials. INTERIOR: very simple. Original bookcases retained but shortened. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: attached cast and wrought-iron railings to areas with brick piers having elaborate wrought-iron lamp-holders flanking entrance steps. Attached cast and wrought-iron forecourt railings on low brick sleeper wall with central gates in similar style and brick piers with stone caps and balls. HISTORICAL NOTE: Highgate was the 1st branch library to be built in the borough, ending a long-running row between ratepayers and the Borough Council. In 1904 the Council acquired the Highgate site from Mr Burdett-Coutts, most of the cost being borne by the Duke of Bedford. The cost of the building, »4,000, was paid for out of a »40,000 donation to St Pancras from Andrew Carnegie who made grants to 118 libraries in Great Britain.

Listing NGR: TQ2873886619