21-25, NEW QUEBEC STREET W1

Terrace of five houses with ground floor shops, dating from the 1780s or 1790s, built as part of the Portman Estate development.

Each building rises four storeys above basement level. The ground floors were converted to shops in the 19th century, with Victorian shop front traces visible at No. 23, though the current shop fronts date from the 20th century. Nos. 21 and 25 are each three bays wide, whilst Nos. 22–24 each have two bays. The stock brick construction features recessed windows with red rubbed brick flat arches. Most windows are 19th century horned sashes, though 18th century hornless sashes survive on the upper floors of No. 24. The windows of Nos. 22 and 23 are modern reproductions of the 18th century originals. A moulded cornice, painted white, runs across Nos. 21–24. The slate roof incorporates a transversal central valley and retains original brick chimneys.

Substantial sections of staircases survive in Nos. 21, 24 and 25, featuring plain stick balusters, simple moulded handrails and large newel posts. No. 21 retains dado panelling in the stairwell, and the hallway preserves an arch and simple timber pilasters with original cornice. The first floor front room contains window boxes, dado panelling, dado rail, skirting boards and cornice, whilst its back room retains all original 18th century features except the fireplace. No. 24 preserves 18th century window casing, shutters, a moulded timber mantelshelf, and fragments of panelling and architraves. First floor window boxes, shutters, under-window panelling and cornices survive in No. 25. Nos. 22–23 have undergone lateral conversion and refurbishment with replacement staircases and windows.

The terrace was built between 1780 and 1799 on the Portman Estate, which had been acquired by Sir William Portman in 1532. The area remained open fields until the 1760s, when systematic development began around Portman Square north of Oxford Street. New Quebec Street itself appears on Richard Horwood's map of 1799 and represents westward expansion from Portman Square, leading eventually to Bryanston Square's construction in 1810. The houses were erected by private and speculative builders on leasehold terms, though the Estate controlled street layouts and open spaces.

The terrace has group value with Nos. 1, 4, 7 and 14–19 New Quebec Street and Nos. 10–20 and 19 Seymour Street, all listed at Grade II.