Millbank Barracks North West Range (Former Married Quarters), Royal Army Medical Corps

TQ 2978 NE JOHN ISLIP STREET

1900/105/10198 Millbank Barracks NW range, (Former Married Quarters) Royal Army Medical Corps

GV II

Married quarters. c1898, by the Royal Engineers for the Royal Army Medical Corps. Red brick with Portland stone quoins and dressings; gabled slate roof with banded brick stacks. Rectangular plan. Principal SE elevation of 4 storeys with pedimented 2-window outer and 3-window central blocks, all with rusticated ground floors and linked across 5-window inner ranges by dentilled cornice. Upper floors have 6/6-pane sashes, pedimented and in Gibbs surrounds to first floor. The central block is flanked by large octagonal stair towers, of an unusual design and topped by cupolas with dentilled cornices and crown finials. Ground floor has sashes with radial heads, those to ground floor set behind rusticated stone arcade which bears full-height balconies providing access to apartments which are carried on Doric and then Ionic columns, the upper floor having plain iron balustrade. Similar rustication and window treatment in 3-window pedimented returns. Interior: not inspected. HISTORY: The married quarters and barrack blocks serve to enclose the north-facing parade ground or square. Drawings for the married quarters (qv) were signed by CM Watson, the Inspector General of Fortifications, in 1898: it is probable, although not proven, that both barracks blocks were built to provide accommodation linked also to the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital (opened 1905), which was built on the north part of the huge Millbank Penitentiary Site. These are clearly related to barracks architecture in their planning but more elaborate both in their articulation and architectural quality than any other contemporary designs with the exception of the remarkable Peninsula Barracks in Winchester.

Listing NGR: TQ2997778501