8, Russell Street Wc2

No. 8, Russell Street is a terrace house with a shop, built around 1759-60. The house is constructed of plum-coloured stock brick, with yellow brick to the rebuilt parapet, and has a concealed roof. It is three storeys and an attic high, with a simple, unadorned façade. The ground floor has a shop front which was altered in the 20th century in a style reminiscent of the Regency period. The upper floors have recessed plate glass sash windows set within flat, gauged red brick arches. There is a stone bracketed cornice above the second floor, and a parapet with coping.

The interior retains the original turned baluster staircase within a fully panelled well. Further panelling is found in a rear room on the first floor. The house was the residence and shop of the bookseller Thomas Davies from around 1760 until his death in 1785. It was a popular meeting place for writers and actors of the time, and is notable as the location where James Boswell first met Dr. Johnson.