2-6, QUIET STREET (See details for further address information)

A row of commercial premises built in 1871 by C.E. Davis. The building is constructed from limestone ashlar, with a roof that is not visible. It is four storeys high, including a full attic, with a twenty-bay front, a single splayed end bay, and a single bay facing Milsom Street. The windows are plain sashes. At attic level, they are framed by paired flat pilasters with plain panels above a podium with a moulded capping. The windows on the second and first floors have eared and moulded architraves, with sunk-panelled keystones. The second floor's windows have raised panels linking the heads, while the first floor's windows have decorative cast iron balconettes to deep moulded sills on heavy brackets, linked by a moulded string, and a mould under the lintel, all under a triple frieze and modillion cornice. The first-floor windows are deeper, featuring small sunk circular panels with floral decoration between each, and fielded panels with raised mould surrounds to shoulder height, all to a plain sill band that projects forward under the windows. The left-hand end has alternate raised and sunk quoins, repeated at each side of the end bay. The right-hand end is stepped forward, with the same details and trim repeated on the splayed and return bays. The upper floors rise from a deep, plain podium band. The ground floor originally had shopfronts divided by stone pilasters with small shafts carrying trumpet capitals. Most of these have been modified, except for No. 2, which retains much original detailing, including a pair of original glazed doors with a transom light, central doors beneath a deep arched transom light, and large plate glass display windows with decorative arched heads and stone pilasters. Low Greek pediments with acroteria and cornices are present. No. 3 has a shopfront replaced around 1900 but retains the original 1871 surround. Number 4 and 5 have a shopfront from the late 20th century within a broad moulded stone surround, with a panelled door to the left and a recessed door to the sixth bay. No. 6 has a poor-quality 20th-century shop insert. No. 7, which returns to Milsom Street, has late 20th-century replacements within the original stone piers dating from around 1825. The interiors have not been inspected. This building represents confident commercial Victorian architecture, designed by the City architect in a style contrasting with Georgian precedents.