No 2 And Attached Railings No 4 And Attached Railings

This block of mansion flats was built in 1927 for the Howard Walden estate, designed by HW Wills and W Kaula and constructed by FD Huntington Ltd. It is executed in a classical style. The exterior is faced with Portland stone, except for the upper floors of the Queen Anne Street elevation, which are red brick. The roof is covered with Cumberland slate in a Mansard style.

The symmetrical front to Mansfield Street comprises five storeys and an attic, with 21 windows. A modillion cornice sits above the third floor. The ground floor is rusticated, with quoins and stone balustrading at first floor level. The central five bays project, featuring giant Ionic half-columns and piers between the first and third floors. The windows are metal casements. The third floor has balustrading incorporating a Vitruvian scroll. Above the first floor is a central panel depicting cherubs flanked by panels featuring urns and swags. The centre of the first floor includes a projecting balcony supported on giant console brackets garlanded with swags and featuring three female mask headstones. Elaborate metal double doors incorporate a fanlight with floral baskets, and oval panels with stained glass on either side. A blue plaque commemorates Robert Mayer (1879-1985), a philanthropist and patron of music, who lived in flat 31. Attached to either side of the entrance are elaborate cast iron railings with principals featuring floral baskets. Recessed and projecting bays are arranged in a matching style.

The Duchess Street elevation is faced with Portland stone for one bay, with a further nine bays of red brick above ground floor, including a three-light canted bay supported on giant brackets with garlands.

The Queen Anne Street elevation is similar, with red brick above ground floor for ten bays. The penultimate bays have stone surrounds with balustrading to the lower part. The entrance includes a curved flight of stairs. Some attic windows have been replaced with UPVC.

The interior entrance hall features a cornice with mutules and paterae, alcoves with cast iron railings, two scagliola Ionic columns, and two pilasters in front of the central staircase leading to the basement, which was originally a restaurant. Marble edging adorns the entrance hall floor. Curved staircases with marble edging and elaborate cast iron balustrading run along each side of the building. Windows overlooking internal courts have stained glass margins depicting fasces. Original wooden casing for central heating radiators remains, along with original doors with moulded bands and paterae. The flats retain original cornices with leaf decoration, panelling including dado panelling, wooden fireplaces with swags, pilasters, marble and metal surrounds, mirrored fanlights, and folding doors. Original butlers’ pantries have been converted into kitchens, but the dumb waiters used to deliver food from the basement restaurant remain in place.