The Prudential Assurance

The Prudential Assurance building, now Prudential and general offices with three shops, was constructed in 1891 by Alfred Waterhouse. It is built of red brick with terracotta detailing and has a steep pitched plain tiled roof, with moulded brick stacks on the left and right sides and on the right of the third and fifth bays. The building is three storeys and an attic in height, with eleven bays, the third and fifth being wider. It exhibits a strong vertical emphasis.

The first and second floors have each bay flanked by vertical terracotta pilasters. At the centre of the facade is a recessed entrance with C20 doors set behind a wide pointed chamfered arch, screened by a segmental arch with long moulded imposts and an iron grille fanlight. To the left are two paired sash windows, and to the right, one paired sash window, each divided by brick and terracotta piers and set under a moulded segmental arch with a moulded panel below the sill. Further to the left is a full bay-width C20 shop window, and to the far right, two full bay-width C20 shop windows, each set under a terracotta segmental arch with a dentilled soffit.

The first floor features a projecting moulded terracotta balcony in the centre, with a paired transomed sash set under a cusped head. To the left and right are four-light mullioned and transomed oriel windows, each sash also set under a cusped head. Further to the left and right are three similar paired sashes. A drip band and second floor sill band are present. The second floor has a tripartite mullioned and transomed sash above each oriel window. Nine paired sashes are present on the first floor, to the left, centre and right.

The attic has smaller three-light windows facing serrated, finialed gables. These gables feature six pointed arch panels below the window sill, two narrow round-headed slots over the window head, and a heavy moulded projecting dentil course. A machicolated eaves cornice is present, together with five steep pitched dormers featuring projecting verges, bargeboards and brackets. The interior was not inspected.