Nos 1-23 West Cliff Terrace Inclusive, With Terracing To South

This is a row of terraces, built around 1840 in Ramsgate, Kent. The terrace fronts onto Pegwell Road and incorporates terracing to the south. The building is constructed of stock brick, with some rendered sections, and has a slate roof. It is designed in an Italianate style.

The terrace is four storeys high with basements. It features a plinth, a moulded string course above the first floor, and a cornice above the third (attic) floor. There is a cornice and parapet to the end partitions and to the central bays, both decorated with large scrolls. The stacks are arranged from left to right along the roofline. The end partitions, each of two bays, and the central twelve bays have round-headed sashes on the third floor; otherwise, the windows are sash windows within moulded surrounds, with bracketed cornices and shell pediments above the first-floor windows. Two window bays define each unit, resulting in a total of 24 bays.

There are two-storey porches to the right, a three-storey porch to the centre right, and three-storey porches to the left with one two-storey porch, all of which are rendered on the ground floor, with brickwork above, and cornices to each stage. They feature single or double sash windows. Single-storey porches are found to the central six units, each with shell and scroll cornices. The recessed, pilastered, and scrolled doorways contain double-panelled doors with elliptical fanlights, and are flanked by fluted Doric columns to the central porches. A two-storey addition is present at the right end, incorporating a single-storey main porch. This addition exhibits pilaster quoins, half-round windows, and an elliptically arcaded ground floor, which is currently boarded in. Blank window spaces, matching the details of the main facade, are visible on the left return. Anthemion pattern rails are present on the moulded steps and basement areas.

The name “West Cliff Terrace” is inscribed on the central raised parapet. A continuous balustraded verandah runs along the front, with French doors on the ground and first floors, and a balustraded balcony to the second floor. The verandahs are partially glazed towards the centre. Similar detailing is present on the seafront facade, including a scrolled parapet to the centre and end partitions. Balustraded terraces, constructed of brick and rendered sections, extend across the entire front, with flint and brick piers and steps leading down to gardens.

The terrace was originally built as a speculative venture for James Wire, an Alderman of London. The terraces include a balustraded verandah on the ground and first floors, with a balcony on the second floor.