Midland Bank

The Midland Bank, located at Nos 27 to 35 Poultry, including No 5 Prince's Street, was built in 1924 by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is considered one of his finest urban buildings. It features a simplified classical style and is faced with Portland stone. The building has five storeys, along with variously recessed single and double attics. The ground storey is rusticated and arcaded, with an order of vanishing pilasters and a pair of Doric columns flanking the recessed entrance. The mezzanine is designed as a pedestal for the upper part, adorned with carved figures of boys at either end by Sir W Reid Dick. The three storeys above have partly channelled stonework and a very simple, tall arcade. The central projection at the attic is modelled with a large arched opening, Corinthian pilasters, a pediment, and urns. There is a low central dome and obelisks at either end. The building has a short return to Grocers' Hall Court with a later bridge, and beyond this is a plain elevation of white glazed brick with stone on the ground storey. The short elevation to Princes' Street is similar to the front and features three simple entrances.