3-13, Whitcomb Street WC2

This is a substantial block of back premises, shops, and vaults dating from around 1820 to 1823, built as part of John Nash’s development of Suffolk Street. It's located in Whitcomb Street, City of Westminster, and was considerably altered in the late 1970s.

The building is constructed of stock brick with a concealed slate roof. The rear elevation is largely functional and sparsely windowed, with the exception of a rebuilt section to the right, which incorporates 1970s windows. The building is approximately three storeys high but extends much higher due to large vaults, raised on a sloping site.

The original left-hand section is symmetrically arranged, with five bays. A large semicircular archway, leading to the vaults, is centrally positioned on the ground floor, flanked by recessed segmental arched sash windows. The first floor features camber arched windows, and the top storey is blind, with two tall semicircular arched panels flanking a larger central one, corresponding with the archway below. A stone plat band runs beneath the top storey, topped by a parapet with coping.

The right-hand section has been altered and rebuilt at ground and first floor levels with arcading and segmental arched windows that are sympathetic to the original design.

The interior of the original left-hand section features extensive round arched brick vaulted cellars with a central aisle and smaller lateral cells, all on a grand scale. A gallery, designed by Nash and Elmes, provides access via Huntscombe Court and is comparable to elements of Suffolk Street.