18-27, Manchester Street W1

These are a group of terraced houses dating from around 1790, built as part of the Portman Estate development following Manchester Square and contemporary with Baker Street. The houses are constructed of stock brick, with the ground floors treated in channelled stucco (some of which is plain). They have concealed slate roofs. The buildings are four storeys high, with basements, and generally have three-window fronts, except for numbers 26 and 27, which have four. Semicircular arched doorways are situated to the right, adjoining to form entrances at numbers 18-19 and 20-21, with a central left doorway at number 26. These doorways have decorative Coade stone imposts and curved keystone details. The doors themselves are panelled, with moulded doorheads and fanlights, with some retaining a radial pattern. The upper floors feature recessed sash windows beneath flat, gauged red brick arches. Windows at numbers 18, 19, and 20 have stucco surrounds, and the first-floor windows of number 24 also have stucco surrounds. A plat band runs along the first floor. The buildings are topped with stucco cornices and blocking courses. Cast iron balconies with a geometric pattern are positioned across the first floor. Cast iron area railings, topped with urn finials, complete the exterior.