The Wolseley 157-160 Piccadilly including 1-3 Arlington Street

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TQ 2980 SW 81/66

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PICCADILLY W1 (south side) The Wolseley, Nos. 157 to 160 (consec) including Nos. 1 to 3 (cons.) Arlington Street

(Fomerly listed as Nos. 157 to 160 (consec.) (including Nos. 1 to 3 (cons.) Arlington Street)

30-5-72

GV II* Large bank and office block. 1921 by Curtis Green. Stone faced, slate roof Imperial classicism. Four main storeys, attic storey and steep, dormered mansard. Three wide bays. Ground floor, including mezzanine, rusticated with two plain central Doric piers supporting large semi-circular arched openings with scrolled keystones; bronze window frames and mezzanine glazing screened by ornate wrought-iron work. Central entrance with secondary doorway to right. A giant order of fluted Corinthian columns, coupled each side of centre, articulate the vertically linked and set-back painted metal windows and aprons and support a deep entablature. Plainer attic storey with pilaster strips flanking three windows. Four dormers with pediments in roof. Similar but plainer return to Arlington Street with giant order of Doric pilasters.

INTERIOR: rich and intact banking hall of unusually high quality .Vaulted ceiling carried on Tuscan Doric columns. To the rear, a pair of side stairs rising to a gallery .Oriental scheme of interior decoration: red lacquer columns, U -shaped run of counters in black and gold, striking marble pavement in black and white. Counter screens not original. Original light-fittings with later attachments.

Awarded RIBA bronze medal in 1922.

Listing NGR: TQ2912080348