434-437, STRAND WC2 (See details for further address information)

This is a triangular block of shops and offices built between 1830 and 1832 as part of the planned improvements to the Strand, originally conceived by John Nash and executed by William Herbert. In the 1970s, the central section of the block was rebuilt for Coutts Bank by Frederick Gibberd & Partners, featuring a set-back entrance that replaced the original Strand centrepiece. The facades of the surrounding sections were restored at this time.

The building is constructed of stucco with slate roofs and incorporates Graeco-Roman detailing, most notably the diagonally placed circular corner pavilions, often referred to as "pepper pots." It comprises three main storeys and an attic storey. The surviving ranges flank the removed central section and are each twelve windows wide. The ground floor is occupied by shops set back between pilasters, and is topped by an entablature. The upper floors have architraved, multi-paned sash windows; the first-floor windows are full-height and have cornices. A main entablature runs above the second floor, with an attic cornice finished with a blocking course.

The corner feature at the junction of the Strand and William IV Street is a circular pavilion with five windows, flanked by single-window returns echoing the detailing of the main ranges. This features giant pilasters articulating the first and second floor windows, an enriched entablature with a dentil cornice, and a balustraded parapet encircling a two-storey pilastered attic topped with a shallow dome and an acanthus-ornamented drum finial. The corner feature at the junction of Adelaide Street is similar but incorporates a pair of circular pavilions linked by a single window bay.

The ranges fronting William IV Street and Adelaide Street are of similar design and retain their original centrepieces; the William IV Street centrepiece is eight windows wide, and the rebuilt Adelaide Street centrepiece is three windows wide. Both feature paired giant pilasters to the first and second floors, a dentil cornice above the entablature, a pilastered attic with a cornice and blocking course. Continuous iron balustrades adorn the first floor of all three fronts. The interiors have been gutted and rebuilt. Along with the Haymarket Theatre, Suffolk Street and Place, this block represents the only surviving example of Nash's Regent Street manner. The 1970s Coutts Bank entrance (number 440) is not considered to be of special interest.