66 And 68, Octagon Road

Nos. 66 and 68 on Octagon Road are an almshouse row built around 1912 by Sir Mervyn Macartney. The buildings are constructed of red brick and feature an eaves cornice beneath a swept, hipped roof that is covered with plain tiles. There are hipped projections over the projecting bays and two ridge stacks. The central block is positioned at an angle to the corner of the octagon, with wings set at 22½ degrees to the center. A central arch is flanked by oculi, and the projecting outer bays each have a large 8-light casement window, with recessed entrances that contain a casement window and a boarded door. Whiteley Village was established by William Whiteley of Whiteley's stores for thrifty elderly individuals and was designed on an octagonal plan by Frank Atkinson, utilizing prominent architects of the time.