Former mess block 8 metres to north of central mess block, HMS Pembroke

This building is a former mess block and offices, now offices, dating from 1900 and designed by Sir Henry Pilkington. It is located 8 metres north of the central mess block within HMS Pembroke. Constructed of red brick with Portland stone dressings, the building has gable and ridge stacks and a slate roof.

The architectural style is Edwardian Baroque, following a double-depth, H-shaped plan with a central stair hall. The building is three storeys high and has a five-window range. The symmetrical facade features a rusticated banded ground floor, cill and plat bands, a stone frieze and a modillion cornice, topped by a parapet. A central bowed distyle in antis porch has Tuscan columns and blocked antae, an entablature, and a balustrade, leading to a doorway with architrave and double doors. Above this is a four-storey central section with angled lateral stacks flanking a two-storey round-arched window which rises through the cornice, featuring mullions, transoms, large alternate voussoirs, a keystone, and enriched aprons. The stacks are linked by a crenellated parapet and a round arch supporting a balustrade. The outer windows have large split keystones and architraves to the first and second floors, housing 6/6-pane sash windows. Dormers with paired 4/4-pane sashes are located in the parapet either side of the central feature. The ends feature two gables with corbelled gable stacks, separated by a recessed central section with a large diagonally-set lateral stack.

The rear elevation, with a 2:1:2 window range, incorporates a two-bay projection from the centre, featuring tripartite flat-headed windows and a tall coped attic. A later arched link connects the building to the Central Mess Block, and a large central ridge lantern is present with casements. The exterior also includes cast-iron dated hoppers and square downpipes.

The interior of the building was not inspected, but reports indicate it lacks special decorative features. The building forms part of a carefully planned early 20th century naval barracks, alongside the Captain’s House, barracks, and other ancillary buildings.