17-21, PORTLAND PLACE W1

TQ 2881 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER PORTLAND PLACE, W1 45/78 (west side) 5.2.70 (No 19 only) Nos. 17 to 21 (odd) 10.9.54 G.V. II* Large terraced 1st rate town houses. 1776-c.1780, by James Adam as a speculative development with his brothers and John Elwes on a Portland Estate lease. Stock brick with channelled or rusticated stucco ground floors; slate roofs. Astylar fronts to Nos, 17 and 19 with No. 21 as the centre house of the originally symmetrical block distinguished by a giant pilaster order and pediment. 4 storeys (including added attic storey), dormered mansards as well to Nos. 17 and 19; on basements. 3-window wide fronts. Semicircular arched doorways to left, No. 17 with entrance under later Corinthian columned stucco porch to Duchess Street return, No. 21 with added Greek Doric columned stucco porch; panelled doors, side lights and fanlights in Venetian window composition. Recessed sashes under flat gauged arches to upper floors; the ground floor windows of No. 21 set in shallow arched panels. Plat band finishing ground floor stuccowork; moulded stucco band over 1st floor; main stucco entablature over 2nd floor; attic cornice with balustraded parapet to Nos. 17 and 19. No. 21 has Ionic pilasters through 1st and 3nd floors with attic divided by pilaster strips and crowning pediment with dentil cornice. Continuous early C.19 cast iron balconies to 1st floor carried out over porch of No. 21. Cast iron area railings with plumbed spike finials. Nos. 17 and 21 retain good original Adam features with delicate plasterwork and stone geometrical staircases with wrought iron balustrade, statuary marble chimnevnieces and overmantel medallions; etc.

Listing NGR: TQ2879681665