Pentland House (Now Goldsmiths College Hostel)

OLD ROAD SE13 1. 4424 Pentland House (now Goldsmiths College Hostel) TQ 3975 15/L67 30.8.54.

II GV 2. Built between 1691 and 1699, on land bought by John Smith from the widow of Christopher Boone whose house stood just to the North. Later additions, Main house of 2 storeys, attic and basement, 5 windows. High pitched. double span roof, renewed in machine tile, with 3 flat dormers. Now stuccoed, with modified entablature and coved eaves cornice. lst floor bard. Moulded architraves to replaced sash windows. l-storey left entrance link, with Doric porch, to set back, mid C19 addition of 2 storeys, 4 windows. Stucco, with slated roof of moderate pitched [Other extensions are C20 and not included.] Cl9 glass covered way on cast iron posts, from porch to street gate. Inside, panelled hall and staircase with solid string and replaced balusters. Square newel posts have carved finials with great heads of flowers and fruit, imported (some say from Boone's house, where Grinling Gibbons was employed in carving). One long fully panelled ground floor room. Plaster ceiling of landing has raised border with mistletoe pattern. Ceiling of lst floor library has raised border of fruit and flowers, rounded at ends, with leaf and flower panels in spandrels Some exposed timbers and old fioorboards in attic. House belonged in C18 to Mathew Smith, Major of the Tower of London; and in early Cl9 to Admiral Sir George Martin who served under Nelson.

Lee Public Library, Walls and Gate Piers and Pentland House and Walls form a group.

Listing NGR: TQ3930075076