Nos. 1-12 (Consec) And Attached Railings

Twelve terrace houses, built circa 1810–1820, with late 19th and 20th century alterations. The builder was Richard Orchard, with Sir Joseph Huddart and Richard Bowsher as landowners.

The buildings are constructed in limestone ashlar with ashlar dressings, coursed and squared stone to parts of the rear, and slate roofs. The terrace was originally longer but was shortened as a result of war damage.

The austere frontage is arranged with Nos 1–7 on double depth plans and Nos 8–12 on single depth plans. All have three storeys with basement, rising to a full four storeys to the rear due to the fall in site. Each building has two or three bays. The sash windows vary in style, with those at ground and first floors set in slightly recessed arched panels and sill bands at the first and second floors. Most second floor lights are six-pane, except at Nos 7 and 8 where original sixteen-pane sashes remain at first and ground floors (also present at Nos 1, 3, 5, 9 and 10). Original sixteen-pane lights remain in the basements except to Nos 2, 7, 8 and 9. First floor balconettes in various patterns remain except to Nos 2, 7, 8 and 9. Blind lights appear at first and second floors to No. 1, over the doorway to No. 4, and centred over the paired doors to Nos 5 and 6.

Panelled doors, some original, are set in plain reveals. In No. 1 the door is positioned to the left, in Nos 2, 3 and 4 to the right, and Nos 5 and 6 have paired doors under a single wide elliptical recessed panel. In Nos 7–12 the doors are set slightly off-centre between windows. No. 8 has an added attic mansard with three replacement sashes and a second door.

A listel, frieze, cornice, blocking course and parapet run the full length of the terrace, with ashlar stacks coped to party divisions. The rear elevation also has a continuous cornice, blocking course and parapet, predominantly with six and twelve-pane sashes stepped at stairways. Extensions include a prominent three-storey bay with splayed corners and pilasters to No. 7, and No. 8 has a full attic storey to parapet. At the left-hand end adjacent to the river, a wall in squared coursed stone, cranked, with various sashes, has a rendered return at its north end. It formerly continued to the street return.

The basement of No. 1 is now converted to a separate flat and contains several vaulted cellars beneath the road with access at the far end to the former pleasure ground at Green Park. The front door has a number of iron security bars fitted horizontally. The attic floor has an interior boxed rainwater drain running to a double-hipped roof. A six-flight wooden staircase with stone steps descends to the basement. No. 6 has panelled doors with Greek key design surrounding each panel. No. 7 retains a very fine original door with flush beading and an intricate fanlight over.

Across the frontage, returned to each of the doorways, is a simple spearhead railing mounted on an ashlar curb with rounded top. Gateways provide access to inserted basement stairs at Nos 2, 5, 8, 11 and 12.

An indenture for No. 1 from 1765 includes the name of Thomas Jelly; the building was completed in 1819. Norfolk Buildings were subject to compulsory purchase for a road building scheme in the 1960s and were put back on the market in 1981 in ruinous condition. William Meybohmn Rider Haggard, father of the author Rider Haggard, was party to a deed of settlement made by the owner of No. 1 to his son in 1843. The colonial administrator Sir Bartle Frere lived at No. 7 between 1829 and 1832; he became High Commissioner to South Africa and knew Rider Haggard well.

The terrace represents a characteristically staggered development following a standardised front elevation design. It forms an important element in the monumental Norfolk Crescent ensemble and stands on the edge of the Georgian city.