17-23, EAST AVENUE

Nos. 17 to 23 on East Avenue are a group of almshouses built around 1912 by architect Ernest Newton. The buildings are constructed of red brick, featuring red brick quoins and dressings, and have a moulded wooden eaves cornice beneath a hipped plain tiled roof. There are end stacks and the structure is two storeys high with five bays. The central three bays are divided by rusticated brick pilasters. The outer bays have casement windows on both floors, while the first floor of the central three bays features balconies, although the outer pairs have been blocked since the last survey. There are three arched entrances below, with the central entrance leading to a two-flight stair with an iron balustrade. Whiteley Village was established by William Whiteley of Whiteley's stores to provide for thrifty elderly individuals and was designed on an octagonal plan by Frank Atkinson, who employed leading architects of the time.