76, Dean Street W1

TQ 2981 SE CITY OF WESTMINSTER DEAN STREET, W1 58/53 (west side)

No. 76 24.2.58 II* - Terraced town house. 1732-33 by Thomas Richmond. Stock brick with red brick dressings, and stuccoed quoin pilasters, slate roof. Austere front, relieved by rustication of 1st floor fenestration, but with an exceptional survival of illusionistically painted stair compartment. Double pile plan. 4 storeys and basement. 4 windows wide. Doorway is 2nd bay from right. 6 panel door in wood case of Ionic pilasters and entablature with bracketed cornice. Recessed glazing bar sash windows under red brick segmental arches and with red brick dressings, the 1st floor windows however have painted stucco rusticated surrounds and arches with keys whilst the 2nd window from left is wider and taller with elliptical arched rusticated voussoir head. Fine panelled interior with enriched cornices, eared architrave doorways and particular feature of trompe l'oeil painted stair compartment with rusticated masonry finished off with Greek fret to lower stage and the whole of the 1st floor stage scenically painted, with theatrical "brio" but faulty perspective, as a Corinthian spaced column loggia to frame views of classical ruins and seascapes, the south wall with a rather fanciful "portrait" of 1st rate Ship of the Line; fine, cut and carved string, deal and oak stairs with fluted Doric column balusters and newels, scrolled to foot and with corresponding ramped and pilastered dado panelling rising to 1st floor gallery only, service stair etc.

Survey of London; Vol. XXXIII.

Listing NGR: TQ2964481094