York Water Gate

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TQ 3080 SW 83/11

CITY OF WESTMINSTER VICTORIA EMBANKMENT GARDENS (VILLIERS STREET SECTION) WC2 York Water Gate

(Formerly listed as GARDENS (VILLIERS STREET SECTION) SW1 York Water Gate)

24.2.58

I

Former Thameside water gate. 1626, executed by Nicholas Stone but the design also attributed to Sir Balthazar Gerbier; built as the watergate to York House where alterations were carried out at the same period by Gerbier for George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. Portland stone. Tripartite monumental gateway in bold Franco-Flemish Baroque style, similar in design to the Fontaine de Medicis. The principal centre archway contains flight of river steps.

The south (former river) front is rusticated with central archway and smaller flanking arched loggias articulated by banded engaged Doric columns supporting deep entablature with large broken segmental pediment over raised centre, flanked by lions couchant. The north front has three arches, with carved cartouche keystones, articulated by pilasters supporting entablature and surmounted by spiked ball finials on pedestals.

R. C. H. M.

Survey of London: vol XVIII

Architecture in Britain 1530-1830: Sir John Summerson

Listing NGR: TQ3036480471