27, WARDOUR STREET W1 (See details for further address information)

This is a group of terraced houses, shops, and an archway dating to circa 1728, with alterations made in the early 19th century. The buildings are stucco-faced with concealed roofs and extend over four storeys. Numbers 27 to 31 comprise three windows wide each, with number 27 extended to four windows in the two upper storeys. Numbers 27 and 29 are designed as a pair, incorporating an elliptical archway that passes through the ground and first floors, defined by key and impost blocks.

Number 27 features a good early 19th century shop front. This includes a flush panelled and glazed door to the right, and a six-by-three-pane display window projecting slightly, where the end panes are curved, flanked by composite pilasters. The entablature above the shopfront projects widely beyond the pilasters, with curved returns and a palmette-decorated cornice. In the return to the passage is a two-by-four-pane display window within a pilaster strip frame, incorporating a console bracketed sill, a bed mould to the fascia, and a projecting cornice. Numbers 29 and 31 have ground floor frontages altered in the mid-20th century. The upper floors feature recessed sash windows. A parapet with coping tops the building.

The interior of number 27 retains early 19th century shop fittings and mouldings, along with an early 18th century dog leg closed string staircase with turned balusters. From the first floor upwards, and 1st floor front room panelling with a box cornice. Number 29 contains a late 18th century staircase, while number 31 retains a (damaged) dog leg closed string staircase and a panelled first floor landing. The buildings represent an early surviving example of the Pulteney Estate group.