Civil Service Department Offices (Former Admiralty Offices)

TQ 2980 SE and 3080 SW CITY OF WESTMINSTER HORSEGUARDS PARADE, SWl 82/71; 83/58 Civil Service Department 31.5.74 Offices (former Admiralty Offices) G.V. II Government Offices. 1894-95 by Leeming and Leeming of Halifax, a redesign of their competition scheme for a much larger Whitehall Office complex. Red brick and Portland stone, slate and lead roofs. A vast ponderous classical block between the back of Ripley's Admiralty and Horseguards Road with French Grand Siecle and English Baroque details, 3 storeys and attic. Pedimented pavilions of 5 windows and 3 window corner towers with 7 window ranges between with elevations to Horseguards Parade, St. James's Park and the Mall, built around internal court. Channelled stone ground floor with recessed flat voussoir arched doorways and windows. Upper floors have architraved windows with rusticated quarter pilasters flanking and pediments on 1st floor and rusticated blocking to 2nd floor. The pavilions have attached Ionic porticoes, that to the Mall flanked by square towers with Wren-like cupola-steeples and the corner towers have French square domes with copper cresting - important contributions to Whitehall skyline. If the enforced compromise of the redesigned facades drew contemporary criticism the planning was admired. Survey of London: Vol XIX The Builders' Journal lDler A.J.): 1894. Marble Halls; Michael Derby.

Listing NGR: TQ3032680128