Lift shaft and winding mechanism to the rear of 40 to 41 White Rock

Former carriage lift shaft and winding mechanism built around 1875 to 1899 for Rock and Sons Carriage Manufacturers.

MATERIALS: red brick below render, under a slate roof.

PLAN: the carriage shaft has access to the south side from the rear of White Rock at the ground floor level and from the north side onto St James Place, to the top storey.

EXTERIOR: the shaft is a rectangular structure that rises three storeys. The lower section is of brick laid in English bond and the middle and upper sections are rendered. The middle section has a flat finish and the upper is scored to imitate ashlar and is also flared at the base to carry away rainwater. The roof is hipped.

There are timber double doors at the base of the shaft to the south side and a corresponding set at the upper level facing north. A later C20 metal staircase is attached to the east elevation. It descends from St Michael’s Place to a C20, timber door.

INTERIOR: the building contains surviving machinery including a cast iron winding gear to the upper storey which is comprised of two, eight-spoke, 1.2m diameter cast iron gear wheels, a cranking shaft and a 0.6m diameter brake wheel. Beneath this upper level, a timber staircase leads down to the rear area of 40 and 41 White Rock.