La Providence No 105 With Railings To Frontages

This is one of a pair of houses dating from the mid-19th century, built as part of the development flanking the approach to La Providence (formerly Theobald Square). The building is constructed of brick with heavy stucco detailing, and has a Welsh slate hipped roof. It has two principal frontages: one to Rochester High Street, and one to La Providence, which is also visible from the High Street.

The High Street elevation mirrors that of the neighbouring No. 103, featuring a prominent moulded cornice, heavy quoining, and flat bands between the floors. The upper half-storey has four-pane sash windows, while the first floor has horned sash windows within moulded surrounds and cornices (though without blind housings). Fine wrought-iron balconies, decorated with palmettes to the lower rail and festoons to the upper rail, are supported on cast-iron console brackets. The ground floor includes two hornless sash windows in simple stucco surrounds, and a porch with a round-headed doorway, an impost band, a heavy keyblock and a moulded cornice. The porch contains a panelled door with a fanlight.

The La Providence elevation is similar to No. 103, with a three-bay design featuring a slightly projecting central entrance bay. This bay contains a round-headed recessed doorway with an impost band, large keyblock and moulded cornice, leading to a door with pierced panels and a fanlight. The upper floor has tripartite side windows, with the first-floor windows having surrounds and balconies matching those on the High Street elevation. A roughly contemporary two-storey extension, incorporating a vehicular entrance and horned sash windows, stands to the left (towards La Providence). Sash windows are also present to the side and rear, the latter including a semi-circular stair turret. The lime pointing is noteworthy and may be original.

The interior features a curved open-well staircase with stick balusters, extending from the basement to the attic, which is lit by a glazed dome. There are also several panelled doors with surrounds. The original spear-head railings to both the High Street and La Providence frontages are included in the listing.