73 and 75 London Street, and railings to the front

These are a pair of buildings, 73 and 75 London Street, built in the mid-18th century, specifically around 1748-1749 for number 73 and by 1754 for number 75. They were commissioned by Dr Anthony Addington as a residence (number 73) and an attached surgery (number 75). In 2023, both buildings were vacant. Number 75 was converted into an entertainment venue in the early 20th century and included a large hall at the rear, known as the Olympia Hall, which was later remodelled and extended in the late 20th century. Residential accommodation is located on the first and second floors of number 75.

The buildings are constructed of red brick laid in a header bond, with old tiled roofs. Externally, they are imposing houses, each with five bays and three storeys, including a basement. They feature a stucco plinth and painted stone details, including a string course at first-floor level and cill bands to the windows. The moulded and painted stone cornice is topped by a plain brick parapet with stone coping. The roof has a taller hipped section on the left, with a shaped chimney. The windows are sash windows with six-over-six glazing bars on the ground and first floors, and three-over-three panes on the second floor, all with gauged brick heads. Number 75 has scalloped blind boxes.

Both buildings have central doorways with stone steps; number 73 retains moulded nosing on its steps. The front door of number 73 is six-panelled with a radiating fanlight above, framed by a deep, plain painted wood architrave with ovolo moulding and a moulded open pediment supported by half-scroll, fluted brackets with acanthus ornament, repeated on the wall face. Sphinx foot scrapers are present. The double six-panelled door of number 75 has a rectangular fanlight with an oval and star glazing pattern, set within a wooden case with panelled reveals, an architrave surround, a plain frieze, moulded cornice, and half-scroll, fluted brackets with acanthus ornament. A more recent door has been added to the north side of number 75, featuring a concrete lintel and providing access to the residential floors above.

The rears of both buildings have been altered: number 73 has a two-storey brick extension, likely from the 19th century, with a Venetian window, and altered window openings with concrete lintels and 20th-century fenestration. Number 75 has a significant hall extension, the former Olympia Hall, also altered and extended.

Inside number 75, alterations were made in the early 20th century to create a cinema and event space. Number 73 retains its original staircase with fluted balusters and plaster panelling in the principal rooms and the hall. The hall floor is flagged with black diamond corners.

The buildings are fronted by 18th or early 19th century ramped spearhead cast iron railings with panel standards topped with small urns and segmental bar and ball detailing.