No 1 Including Railings

No 1 Esplanade is a house that has been converted into shops and offices, built between 1859 and 1861. It is constructed of yellow brick with pale-colored pointing and features a clay tile gable-end roof. The building stands three storeys tall with an attic and basement, displaying a symmetrical five-bay facade (two bays, one central bay, and two bays). The central entrance bay slightly projects from the rest of the structure. It has heavy quoining and dentilled eaves, with a string course at each floor level. The doorway is framed by a stone architrave and has a panelled door topped with a rectangular overlight. All windows feature segmental arches and stone cills supported by brackets, and there are three dormers above. The windows throughout are 4-pane horned sashes.

The tall brick end stacks do not have contemporary pots. The rear elevation, which faces Gandulph Square, is set back from the Royal Crown Hotel, and while the wall facing High Street is made of yellow brick (with blocking courses and false windows on the top floor), the rest is constructed of stock red brick. This rear section has 2½ storeys with a mansard roof and a four-window range featuring 6, 10, and 20-pane hornless sashes. The ground floor includes two original panelled doors with overlights and a modern garage entrance.

Inside, there are some contemporary doors and door surrounds on the ground floor, as well as a well-designed staircase with a curved rail, stick balusters, and cast-iron shaped newels, although modern fire doors have been installed. The spear-headed railings along the Esplanade front, which are continuous with those of the Royal Crown Hotel, are likely contemporary and are included in this listing. No 1 Esplanade is prominently located opposite Rochester Bridge and groups well with the Royal Crown Hotel.