78 And 80, Octagon Road

Nos. 78 and 80 on Octagon Road are a pair of almshouses built around 1912 by Sir Mervyn Macartney. They are constructed of red brick and feature a wide central projection with a coved cornice above a plain tiled, swept hipped roof that is recessed over the wings. The building is single storey and consists of four bays, with the two central bays having casement windows. The outer bays have round-headed entrance arches that conceal casement windows and boarded doors. Whiteley Village, where these almshouses are located, 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, utilizing prominent architects of the time.