Compass Abbey Hotel (Part)

The Compass Abbey Hotel (part) is a group value building, dating to 1740, with alterations made in 1887. Originally two five-bay houses (numbers 2 and 3 North Parade), it is now part of the hotel, alongside number 2, and appears as a ten-bay structure with two doorcases centrally placed to each five-bay section. The building was designed by John Wood the Elder and subsequently altered by CE Davis. The design features a double-depth plan with later rear extensions. The exterior is three storeys high, with an additional attic and basement level. A platband is present at first-floor level. The right-hand doorway has Ionic half-columns supporting a pediment, leading to a six-panel door; the left-hand doorway features a large Tuscan porch with a pediment projecting into the upper storey. Wrought iron area railings are a prominent feature. Window openings contain plain 19th-century sash windows with plain architrave surrounds; those on the first floor have cornice heads, and all have dropped sills. A dentil cornice runs along the building, surmounted by a parapet and a mansard roof with ten flat-topped dormers containing plain sashes. Ashlar end stacks are present without pots. The interior was altered by Davis in 1887, extending to the rear elevation facing Pierrepont Place, but has not been inspected recently. The building was converted into a Poor Law Union office in 1887 by the City Architect, after the previous office was demolished to reveal the Roman Great Bath. It is part of John Wood's uncompleted scheme for the Abbey Orchard, built between 1740 and 1748.