The Former Tote Building To Ascot Racecourse

The former Tote Building at Ascot Racecourse is a structure that was originally built as stables in the late 19th century. It was remodeled and extended into a totalisator building between 1929 and 1930 by the architects Hunt and Steward, with further alterations made in 1939, 1956, and 1979. The building is constructed of red brick with stone dressings and features slate roofs.

The layout consists of a long range that backs onto the street, with a short wing at the eastern end. During the 1929-30 remodeling, the rear wall was retained, and the central section was rebuilt as a tote tower facing the racecourse. In 1939, a stepped parapet containing a clock was added to the tower.

The exterior of the building is two to three storeys high. The long north front has low two-storey flanking ranges and a wing to the left, which features oversailing first floors with iron balconies. The central tote tower is distinguished by a large moulded stone cornice, a stepped parapet with a clock face, and a glazed front with iron balconies. The rear side facing the road has long, low two-storey flanking ranges with shallow three-light windows that have cambered arches and a string course. The central tote tower is a larger, taller two-storey block with a parapet and a moulded stone cornice that projects over brick pilasters. It features large elliptically arched first-floor windows with moulded brick imposts and keyblocks, recessed panels above, and a wide rendered band below, along with three-light ground floor windows with flat arches. The tote tower is built of orange brick with red brick details.

Inside, the building has been remodeled into luncheon rooms, and the stairs at the back of the tote tower are adorned with cast-iron balustrades. The late 19th-century stables were transformed into the totalisator building following the Racehorse Betting Act of 1928.