71-87, GEORGE STREET W1

This is a terrace of "fourth rate" houses with shops, dating from around 1800. The terrace was built as part of the Portman Estate development associated with Gloucester Place. The buildings were constructed separately. They are of stock brick construction with stuccoed and channelled ground floors, where alterations have not occurred. The roofs are concealed behind slate. The buildings are four storeys high and have two-window fronts. Many of the shop fronts have been altered in the mid-19th century, later 19th century and mid-20th century. Number 71 retains an unaltered shop front from around 1840-50, which is bowed and flanked by a shop and house door with projecting lantern cases above fanlights, all set beneath an entablature-fascia. Most of the remaining house doorways are situated between the shops and have semicircular arched entrances with doors consisting of six fielded or reeded panels. The upper floors feature recessed sash windows within stucco reveals, set beneath flat, gauged arches. The fronts are finished with a parapet with stone coping. Some original cast iron window guards are present on the first floor. The interiors retain original, plain square baluster staircases, except at Number 85. Number 77 has a reset 18th-century wrought iron balustrade. The houses all contain one or more plain marble fireplaces, some located to the rear across corners. There are half or fully panelled halls, doors, and architrave cases. The interior at Number 73 is the best preserved and features a finely carved fireplace with artichoke pilasters, a fluted frieze, and a garlanded central medallion. Number 85 has a London County Council plaque recognizing it as the residence of the poet Tom Moore.