49, ST JAMES'S STREET SW1 (See details for further address information)

TQ 2980 SW CITY OF WESTMINSTER PICCADILLY W1 81/67 (south side) 30-5-72 No161 (including No 49 St James's Street) GV II * Insurance company offices. 1907 by Belcher and Joass (principally Joass) for the Royal Insurance Company. Granite and Portland stone faced, slate roof. A wilfully free use of classical motifs in a tense inventive design. Corner block with St. James's. 4 main storeys with attic loggia and 2 tiers of dormers in steeply pitched roof. 3 bays to Piccadilly, splayed corner and 1 ½ bay return. The ground floor window bays with bronze trim and surmounted by mezzanine, defined by paired attenuated Doric columns carrying entablature with carved heraldic devices and cornice over. Entrance to splayed corner surmounted by carved lions. 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors united by continuous oriel windows with concave aprons, those to the 2nd floor with mannered pediments, and piers with niches at 1st and 2nd floor levels, and sculptured figures at 3rd floor level. Attic floor recessed behind colonnade of paired Doric columns. 2 tiers of shaped dormers let into roof pitch.

Listing NGR: TQ2913380372