The Abbey Warehouse

The Abbey Warehouse is a warehouse dating from around 1840 or earlier in the 19th century. Built of coursed granite with ashlar dressings, it features a flat roof constructed of large slate slabs.

The building has a long, narrow rectangular plan, built along the quay and into the cliff at the rear. The northeast front, facing Abbey Basin, is three storeys high and has a 1:2:2:3:2:2:1 bay arrangement. Broad, giant pilasters rise from the quay to the second-floor cornice, with paired two-light casements between them. The end bays are narrower, with single casements. The wider central bay has casements flanking loading doors on the ground and first floors, with steps recessed into the quay. The second floor, with an attic storey, has seven widely-spaced small casements with cambered arches, topped by a parapet with plain stone coping.

Inside, the floors are supported by cast-iron posts, and a central staircase provides access. The first and second floors at the northwest end have been removed. The roof, made of large slate slabs, is supported by iron girders.

The warehouse is a good example of an early to mid-19th century quayside building, making a significant contribution to Penzance harbour.