Groundwork Trust Offices, And Attached Chimney

SOUTHWARK

TQ3377 WELLS WAY 636-1/10/849 (East side) 27/09/72 Groundwork Trust Offices, and attached chimney (Formerly Listed as: WELLS WAY Public Library (baths and wash houses))

GV II

Public baths and wash house, later public library and sports club, now offices. 1902. By Maurice Adams, architect. Red brick with Portland stone banding and other details. Picturesque group combining different styles in its various features. EXTERIOR: former baths and wash house: 2 storeys; left-hand section (formerly baths) has 3 Gothic-style gables with geometric stone inlay to main frontage. 2-storey right gabled bay, flanked by corner stone pinnacles over banded pilasters resting on decorative corbels with mermaids, has moulded granite round-arched entrance with steps and double doors. On 1st floor above is Tudor-style mullioned and transomed 3-light window beneath modillion cornice and plaque in gable. Other main windows similar style. 2-storey centre gabled bay has coupled, 3-light windows to ground floor and 3 grouped windows to 1st floor. Left-hand gabled bay is 1 tall storey only, forming gable end of north-facing library block which lies at right angles to former baths and wash house. It has 3 grouped windows, the centre on a Queen Anne-style canted bay with tympanum over. Right section is former laundry of 2 storeys in similar style with tiled roof and smaller doorway. 1 large semicircular window to ground-floor with red brick dressings and stone key. 3 windows above; plaque between floors. Gabled right return. Tall brick chimney to rear with stone banding and cornice. Public library to north return (Neate Street) has high pitched red tile roof with raftered eaves. 1 storey only, 3 bays. Steps up to Baroque-style stone portico of modified Ionic columns supporting break-front cornice and segmental pediment with coat of arms in tympanum. Stone figures of readers at either side of pediment, resting on extended cornice. Stone faced, battlemented centre bay behind pediment projects from side walls. Stone gable with rose window rises behind battlements. Side sections have 3-light windows with cornice and brick panels beneath. Continuous string at ground floor

sills and another beneath panels. INTERIOR: not inspected.

Listing NGR: TQ3303277700