10, Downing Street Sw1

TQ 3079 NW CITY OF WESTMINSTER DOWNING STREET, SW1 92/5 No. 10 14.1.70 I G.V.

Large terraced town house. 1682 origin, built as 2 houses in Sir George Downing's development of the street; remodelled as one property, incorporating a large house of c.1677 to the north facing Horseguards Parade, 1723-35 by the Office of Works (Kent, Isaac Ware and Flitcroft all probably involved); the street front refaced (with No. 11 q.v.) c.1766-75 by Kenton Couse; major reconstruction/restoration 1960-64 by Raymond Erith. Darkened brick street front with sparse stone dressings, slate roof. 3 storeys, basement and dormered mansard. 5 window wide astylar front. Doorway in 2nd bay from right, recessed panelled door and fanlight in stone architrave with shaped consoles to moulded cornice; similar disused doorway to left. Recessed glazing bar sashes under flat gauged arches. Stone plat band below 1st floor sill band; main stone cornice below parapet with coping. Cast iron area railings with overthrow lampholder. The rear north premises of C.17 origin remodelled c.1723-35, are of red brick with hipped tiled roof. 2 storeys on basement and dormered attic. 7-window wide symmetrical north front with 3-window centre break, 5-window west return. Recessed glazing bar sashes under flat gauged arches. Although the interior has been replanned (in conjunction with Nos. 11 and 12) and carefully reconstructed, the principal rooms and the north staircase remain; top lit stone stairs with substantial S pattern iron balustrade; 2 storey vaulted kitchen of c.1723-35; Dining Room (and breakfast room) by Soane 1825-26 with typically individual shallow vault design and panelling; Drawing Room with 2-column screen decorated in the Kent manner; Cabinet Room with a screen of 2 richly carved Corinthian columns; fine collection of statuary marble chimneypieces; etc. No. 10 has been the official residence of the Prime Minister as first Lord of the Treasury since 1735.

Survey of London; Vol. XIV. History of the King's Works; Vol. VI.

Listing NGR: TQ3004679951