Goldsmith Building

The Goldsmith Building is a late 18th-century building, constructed as legal chambers, and possesses group value from that period. It is of red brick and Portland stone construction.

The building is three storeys high, with a basement and attic, and follows a standard legal chambers layout with minimal alterations – the only exception being the enclosure of the rear stair at ground-floor level. The plan features a central, elliptical well stair, with corridors running to the rear (north) at each level, providing access to chambers on the south, west, and east sides. The basement contains storage rooms.

The ground floor and basement are faced with Portland stone exhibiting graduated horizontal rustication, vermiculated at basement level and smooth faced above. The upper floors are in red brick with Portland stone quoins, window architraves, and moulded strings between storeys. Basement, ground, and second-floor windows have segmental heads; first-floor windows have square heads with moulded cornices. The principal (south) elevation consists of five bays. A curved balustrade bridge spans the basement area, leading to a pedimented entrance framed by Tuscan columns. The tympanum of the pediment displays the lamb and flag, the badge of the Middle Temple. The entrance surround is hollow-chamfered with a roll moulding, topped by a semi-circular tympanum featuring carved floral and scrollwork, also bearing the lamb and flag badge. Above the entrance is a large, semi-circular headed window with a deep cill, pilasters, and a rusticated surround. A full-height rusticated stone bay punctuates the south-west corner, accentuated by a curved oriel with paired windows and console brackets, beneath which is the carved stone coat of arms of James Anderson, Treasurer of the Middle Temple. The east and west elevations each have two bays. Windows are wooden sashes with 2-over-2 glazing panes. The roof is hipped and covered in clay tiles, concealing a flat roof behind. The basement area is enclosed by cast-iron column railings sitting on a low stone plinth, with stone steps providing access on the north-west side. Flanking the entrance are two pairs of stone piers; those to the left support ornate cast-iron lamp posts, while the right-hand pair lack their original lamp posts.

Inside, the stone stair has cast-iron column balusters and a mahogany handrail. The entrances to the corridors on either side of the stair have modern folding security doors. Original features include panelled doors and shutters, marble fire surrounds, and cast-iron grates. Strong rooms (one per floor) also remain within the corridors on the east side.