Two Temple Place

Two Temple Place, formerly known as No 2: Incorporated Accountants Hall, is a Grade II* listed building located on Temple Place in the City of Westminster. Built in 1895 by architect J L Pearson, it originally served as the Astor Estate Office and included a town flat for Lord Astor. The building is constructed of Portland stone and features a slate roof, showcasing a sophisticated interpretation of Early Elizabethan style that is both scholarly and exquisitely executed.

The symmetrical front of the building includes a northwest wing and is two storeys high with a steep gable end roof. It has five windows across its façade and a four-centred arched doorway on the west side, flanked by shallow gabled breaks, one of which features an oriel bay. The south front is adorned with four-centred arched grouped mullion casements situated between large oriel bays, which are embellished with leaded and stained glass lights, as well as crenellated parapets. The gables are topped with saddlestones and finely wrought iron finials, with a weathervane on the ridge and delicately detailed Tudor chimney stacks.

Inside, the building boasts very fine and richly decorated interiors, including a central staircase hall surrounded by a gallery of ebony columns at the upper level. The high-quality carving is done in an Elizabethan style with inventive detailing, and the roof is glazed between the trusses. The principal room on the first floor, located behind the south front, overlooks the Thames through the oriel bays and is lavishly decorated. Notable features include doors throughout the house, particularly a central door adorned with nine silver-gilt panels by Frampton depicting seated female figures, and stained glass in the oriels illustrating landscapes by the firm of Clayton and Bell.

Two Temple Place is a remarkable ensemble and one of Pearson's last works, representing a fin de siècle counterpoint to Pugin's Scarisbrick Hall interiors.