Haggerston Branch Library

The following building shall be added: KINGSLAND ROAD 1. 5013 (east side) Nos 234-236 (even) TQ 3383 30/700 (Haggerston Branch Library) II GV

Library. Built as a house c1880; adapted for use as a library in 1893 by Richard J Lovell; facade built and extended by 2 bays in 1896 by Maurice B Adams. Built of brick with facade of Portland stone; gabled Welsh slate roofs; stone and brick stacks. Double-depth plan. Italianate style. 2 storeys and basement; symmetrical 5-bay range. Stone steps rise to fielded 6-panelled door; projecting porch has Corinthian pilasters and columns, and tablet set in broken pediment. Channelled rustication to basement and ground floor, with band of Greek key ornament broken by moulded ground-floor window architraves, which have enriched ornament, bracketed cills and ornamental cast-iron guards; plain friezes, beneath cornices brought forward from moulded storey bond, are inscribed SHOREDITCH/LIBRARY/HAGGERSTON/BRANCH. Alternate segmental and triangular pediments with console brackets, to similar first floor window architraves, which also have bead and reel ornament and have rosettes carved on cills. Corinthian frieze and cornice surmounted by balustraded parapet with vase finials, terminated by rusticated ashlar stacks with bracketed cornices. Glazed roof lights to staircase and reading room to rear. Interior: Panelled entrance hall, with half-glazed door leading to stair hall, which has rib-vaulted stair-light with foliate brackets and panelled frieze. Ground floor room to right has plaster cornice with console brackets. First floor rooms to front have enriched plaster cornices, and panelled door set in pedimented doorcase; painted decoration with arabesques to former reference library. History: This was the second library established by donations from John Passmore Edwards.

Listing NGR: TQ3349583624