Numbers 128-133A And Attached Railings

NUMBERS 128-133A AND ATTACHED RAILINGS, BRIGHTON

Mansion flats formerly known as Portland Terrace, built around 1826. Probably designed by Amon Wilds and Charles Augustin Busby. Constructed in stucco with slate roof to Numbers 131-133; the roof of the remainder obscured by parapet.

EXTERIOR

Numbers 128-130 comprise three storeys and a two-storey attic over basement, with three windows each. Numbers 131-133 are three storeys with attic and dormers over basement, also with three windows each. The return elevation of Number 133 has a two-window range.

The entire terrace forms a picturesque grouping divided into pavilions of different heights and sizes, with variations applied to the design of Number 127. The height steps down progressively from Number 127 to Number 133. Number 128 is comparable in size, scale and design to Number 127.

Number 128 has banded rustication to its ground floor. A flat-arched entrance with overlight sits to the right of the party wall, set under a bracketed porch in cast-iron of Gothic Revival style dating to the mid to late 19th century. All windows are flat-arched with projecting sills. A first-floor balcony features cast-iron railings. The first and second floors are treated as a giant pilastrade of Composite order, fluted, with a storey band between them set behind the pilastrade. The entablature to the pilastrade has its upper fascia forming a sill band for the first of two attic storeys. The attic is divided by plain pilasters continuing the axes of the pilasters below, with an entablature band running between the first and second attic storeys. A panelled parapet crowns the composition. This arrangement returns to the left.

The row from Numbers 129-133 advances one-window range beyond the wall plane of Number 128. The end and central units (Numbers 129, 131 and 133) project slightly to form pavilions, each articulated by a giant pilastrade of Composite order, unfluted, rising from the first to second floors. The intermediate bays are plain. A storey band between the first and second floors of all units and an entablature unify the whole row, as does a continuous attic storey. In the pavilions, this attic is divided by pilaster bands and entablature. Window insertions in Number 129 have interrupted the cornice.

All entries are flat-arched with overlight, set in a ground floor of banded rustication. Number 129's entry is set under a round-arched, cast-iron porch of mid to late 19th century date. First-floor balconies with cast-iron railings appear at Numbers 131-133, while Numbers 129-130 have cast-iron brackets. All windows are flat-arched with projecting sills.

Although Numbers 129-133 are treated as a single composition, variations in Numbers 129-130 smooth the transition from the high west side of the block to the lower east side. Numbers 129 and 130 have a second-attic storey comparable to Number 128, though not as tall. Their parapet has a blind balustrade. Numbers 131-133 have a balustrade, each with three flat-arched dormers.

Number 133's entry in the return elevation to Portland Place is flat-arched with side lights, framed by slim Tuscan pilasters. It is set under a Doric prostyle porch, segmental in plan. The roof of this porch serves as a first-floor balcony with cast-iron railings, from which rises a two-storey segmental bay with Tuscan pilaster strips between flat-arched, tripartite windows. A pediment outlined by mouldings crowns a gambrel gable above. The pilastrade of the main elevation returns for one bay. The entire ground floor has banded rustication. Colossal pilasters to the first and second floors mark the party wall with Number 133A.

Number 133A is located on Portland Place and shows design affinities with Number 127 Marine Parade as well as with the Portland Place Terraces (Numbers 1-13 and 15-25). It features a flat-arched entrance with overlight and floating cornice; banded rustication to the ground floor, from which rises a giant pilaster of Composite order rising to a second-floor entablature. Cornice and parapet crown the attic storey. A first-floor balcony has cast-iron railing and brackets. Stacks appear to party and end walls.

INTERIOR

Not inspected.

FEATURES

Railings to stairs and areas.

Numbers 127-133 and Number 133A form an important group together with Marine Square and Portland Place.