25-27 Including Post Office

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 18/07/2014

NEW BOND STREET (North side), 25-27 including Post Office

(Formerly listed as The Post Office)

07/01/91

GV II

Post Office. 1927 by HM Office of Works. MATERIALS: Limestone ashlar with parapeted roof. PLAN: Irregular plan: entrance on narrow corner façade with long returns. EXTERIOR: Three storeys, but entrance treated as two. Giant Venetian window with Ionic columns and pilasters supporting pieces of entablature, round headed cornice and bracket keystone under recessed giant arch. Below semi-circular projecting porch with Doric columns which continues internally to form circular entrance vestibule. Entablature with dentilled cornice and plain frieze inscribed Post Office. Shallow dome surmounted by elaborate swagged urn with flame finial. Channelled rustication to either side with frieze and cornice continuing all round building, as does panelled sill and window apron band, raised quoins, modillion cornice and blocking course like parapet. The vestibule contains a bronze plaque with references to Bath's prominent part in the evolution of the postal system; over the two entrances are carved keystones bearing heads of Mercury. Front to Northgate Street nine-window range of tall sash like windows with moulded architraves and flat cornices, centre three with segmental pediments on scrolled brackets. Similar windows without hoods to second floor. Ground floor has central entrance arch, doorways to either side and six glazing bar windows with finely detached mullions, transoms and frames. Similar four window range to New Bond Street was perhaps intended to be continued further. Further Venetian window on narrow front to Green Street. INTERIOR: Retains some Neo-Georgian details such as the richly moulded cornice to posting hall. Modern counters. HISTORY: A fine example of Office of Works revivalist design, using the popular Neo-Georgian idiom to great effect in this prominent city centre location. The section to right of entrance arch was originally built as a Telephone Exchange. The main Bath Post Office previously at Old Post Office in George Street (qv), and before that at No.8 Broad Street (qv). Building formerly listed as The Post Office, now divided into 25-27 including Post Office

Listing NGR: ST7505564982