Former United University Club

TQ 2980 SE CITY OF WESTMINSTER PALL MALL EAST, SW1 82/20 (north west side) Nos. 3 to 5 consec. (including Nos. 1 to 4 Suffolk Street), formerly United University Club. G.V. II Former club-house. 1906-07 by (Sir) Reginald Blomfield. Portland stone, slate roof. Early instance of Blomfield's refined Beaux Arts classicism in the neo-Gabriel French manner but still with certain English neo-Mannerist features (or rather solecisms). 3 storeys, basement and dormered mansard. 9-window with front to Pall Mall East grouped in rhythm 1:3:1:3:1 (originally 1:3:1 and extended by Blomfield), and 10-window wide return with entrance to Suffolk Street (also extended subsequently by Blomfield). The entrance has a recessed porch to end of original Suffolk Street front with 2 Doric columns in antis under entablature. The ground floor is smoothly rusticated with emphasis on horizontal joints and has recessed square headed small pane glazing bar sashes, similar sashes to upper floors with the groups of window bays framed by full height channelled piers. To Pall Mall East the recessed single window bays are flanked in antis by giant Ionic quarter columns whilst the wider 3 window groups are set in recessed shallow through-storey segmental bows. To Suffolk Street the design is similar but here the recessed bays are of 2 windows and are further emphasised by a central dividing engaged Ionic column in antis, whilst the segmental bow 3-window group, framed by the channelled piers, is advanced from the building line. Deep entablature with projecting cornice and balustraded and panelled parapet with flambeau-vases to the corners and over the 3-window groups. Segmental pedimented dormers and cupola on ridge. Prominent 1st floor balconies on console brackets to recessed window bays with urn-finialed iron rails with ornate panels of scrollwork. Iron area railings with coupled urn-finialed standards. The interior lacks the clear axiality of a Beaux Arts plan.

Listing NGR: TQ2984480474