Bermondsey Public Library And Attached Railings And Piers

SOUTHWARK

TQ3379 SPA ROAD 636-1/5/716 (North West side) Bermondsey Public Library and attached railings and piers

II

Public library. Dated 1890-91. By John Johnson, architect. F and H Higgs, builders. Brick in Flemish bond with terracotta and stone trim. Slate roofs, hipped over end ranges and mansard over the centre. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and attic over basement. 5-window range. Elliptical-arched entrance in centre, doors of original design, the whole set under a porch supported by rusticated, coupled Ionic columns; similar Ionic pilasters continue across the ground floor framing 2-light, flat-arched windows with stone surrounds and mullions. To the right a single-storey wing, stone courses alternating with brick and a plaque bearing inaugural inscription. Flat-arched windows to return. A spandrel band below ground-floor windows ornamented with a bull's eye. Second entrance to left-hand range. First-floor windows have 2 lights and flat arches, as below, but are set in a round-arched arcade, the piers ornamented by an acanthus-leaf springing band; tympana ornamented with floral spray; arches turn in brick and stone voussoirs, the keystones historiated. Arcading continues on the right return. The rhythm of windows doubles in the attic storey, all are elliptical arches with springing band and polychromed arches similar to 1st-floor arcade. Centre pair of windows has balcony enclosed by cast-iron railing. Entablature with garland frieze in terracotta. Segmental pediment to centre range, in parapet, and above a Dutch gable with urns and finials. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: walls, piers and railings to entrance and areas. Also included is the pair of stone piers with hipped capstones leading to what was, formerly, an alley along the right return. (The South London Press, 23 January 1892).

Listing NGR: TQ3375079186