17-19, BEDFORD STREET WC2

This former district post office, located at 17-19 Bedford Street, London, was constructed between 1883 and 1884, likely by E.G. Rivers or possibly James Williams. The building is constructed of Portland stone with a slate roof and represents a knowledgeable and dignified design in the Roman High Renaissance style. It rises to three tall storeys with a dormered mansard roof and is six windows wide.

The ground floor features an entrance on the right side, balanced by a covered way entrance on the left. Both are framed by Doric pilasters supporting an entablature, with coved and horizontally fluted architraves for the windows and door. The upper floors have architraved sash windows, with those on the "piano nobile" accentuated by console bracketed pediments and blind balustraded aprons. A frieze on the first floor displays plaques monogrammed "V.R." A guilloche band enriches the sill course to the second floor. The main entablature is finished with a dentil cornice and a balustraded parapet.