3-14 and 25-35, South Row

This is a block of 23 flats, designed in 1962 and built in 1963 by Span Developments Limited, with Eric Lyons as the architect. It is an example of post-war development and considered among the strongest compositions by Span Developments, who were England's most important private developers of the period. The building has a reinforced concrete frame, emphasized by strong horizontal and vertical elements within the brick infill. It is arranged in an L-shaped plan, with three storeys and penthouses. Access to the upper flats is via staircases, and each flat has an inset balcony shielded by thick timber balustrades. The entrance lobbies are similarly treated, located to the side of a two-bay entrance, itself set within the building and featuring fully glazed doors leading to a central courtyard. Thick timber windows, with a strong double transom pattern and aluminium opening lights, reinforce the building’s grid and create a visual connection with Nos. 15-24. Cornice-level glazing is used for the smaller windows, creating a near-continuous band. The retaining walls are of matching brickwork and incorporate thick timber balustrading, which provides intermittent fencing; those to the kitchens were replaced in late 1995. The entrance halls feature tiled floors, screens with vertical varnished mullions, and staircases with thick timber balustrades. The other interior spaces were not inspected and are likely of little special interest. The building makes a powerful, landscaped contribution to its historic setting.