70-76 and 80-82, Harley Street W1

The buildings at 70-76 and 80-82 Harley Street are a group of terraced town houses dating from approximately 1773-1775, and forming part of the Portland Estate development. They were likely designed by John White in collaboration with plasterer Thomas Collins, who were associates of Sir William Chambers. The exterior is constructed of stock brick with channelled stucco to the ground floors, and has slate roofs. The houses are generally three windows wide, with four storeys and dormered mansards. Number 70 is an exception, having five storeys. The doorways have broad, semicircular arched openings to the right (with square-headed doorways at numbers 76 and 78), set within rusticated or vermiculated Coade stone surrounds which include Gibbs surrounds at number 78. Panelled doors are complemented by side lights, moulded doorheads and fanlights. The upper floors feature recessed sash windows, beneath flat, gauged arches. Number 74 has stucco architraves and first-floor pediments, while number 78 has a canted bay window to the ground floor. First-floor plat bands run across the facades, and the buildings feature parapets with stone copings. Continuous cast iron balconies are present on the first floor, dating from the mid-19th century, with number 76 retaining an early 19th-century Gothick pattern. Cast iron area railings are present, topped with urns or later plumbed spike finials. The majority of the interiors retain good original features, particularly in numbers 78 to 82. These include stone geometrical staircases with openwork lyre or anthemion pattern wrought iron balustrades, sky light drums decorated with swag ornament, fluted friezes, garland wreathed ceilings, and good stucco mythological relief medallions in husk and ribbon framing – reminiscent of the style of Sir William Chambers – above inlaid marble pilastered or columned fireplaces in the front rooms. Other original features include some mahogany doors. These details are characteristic of high-quality speculative houses built in Harley Street during the 1770s.