6-10, ADAM STREET WC2

A terrace of six town houses, numbers 6 to 10 Adam Street, was built between 1768 and 1774 by Robert Adam. The buildings are constructed of brown brick with stucco dressings, topped with slate roofs. Originally designed as a symmetrical group, number 7 formed a pedimented centrepiece intended to close the view down John Adam Street, although the houses beyond number 6 were later demolished. The terrace is three storeys high, with an attic storey and a basement. Each house has a three-window front.

Number 7 features banded rustication to the ground floor and an enriched door surround to the right, complete with a dentil cornice. Glazing bar sashes are recessed, set within flat, gauged arches, and articulated between the first and second floors by giant pilasters decorated with a honeysuckle motif. These pilasters support a decorated frieze, cornice, and attic storey, topped with a pediment displaying the Adam coat of arms. Houses 8 to 10 are similar in design but less ornate, with enriched doorways to the left and right, recessed glazing bar sashes, and string courses marking the first and second floors. Number 10 projects with a bowed south flank. Number 6 is essentially the same as the others, but with stucco work added to the ground floor and to the first floor architraves in the 19th century.

Most of the original anthemion-pattern iron balconettes remain, particularly on number 8, although number 6 has 19th-century replacements. Cast iron area railings are also present. The interiors retain many original features, including plasterwork, geometric staircases, and some original fireplaces.