26-30, PORTLAND PLACE W1

TQ 2881 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER PORTLAND PLACE, Wl 45/73 (east side) 10.9.54 Nos. 26 to 30 (even) G.V. II* Large terraced 1st rate town houses. c.1776-1780 by James Adam, as a speculative development in association with his brothers and John Elwes on a Portland Estate lease. Stock brick with channelled stucco ground floor; slate roof. Built as a symmetrical block with No. 32 q.v., the central house No. 28 emphasised by a giant pilaster order, the rest with astylar elevations. 4 storeys (including added attic storey) on basements. 3-window wide fronts. Broad semicircular arched doorways to left (right on No. 26), No. 28 with fluted Doric columned porch added; double panelled doors, side lights with panelled dividers, frieze with rams' heads carrying cornice doorhead and fanlight overall, No. 28 with Ionic columned inscribed Venetian composition of door, side lights and fanlight. Recessed sashes under flat gauged arches to upper floors. Plat band finishing off stuccowork at 1st floor; Nos. 26 and 30 with moulded stucco cornice over 1st floor and stucco entablature and balustrade over 2nd floor; No. 28 with giant stucco Ionic pilasters through 1st and 2nd floors and attic storey divided by pilaster strips and surmounted by shallow pediment. 1st floor geometric patterned cast iron balconies. Urn and plumbed spike finialed area railings. Good Adam interior features particularly in No. 28, friezes and ceiling with delicate plasterwork, stone geometrical staircases with wrought iron balustrades, statuary marble chimneypieces, etc.

Listing NGR: TQ2885081690