1, 2 And 3, Bank Place

A terrace of three large town houses located at 1, 2, and 3 Bank Place, dating to the 1770s. The construction is primarily red brick on a rubble foundation, with a granite plinth, mid-floor string courses, and keyblocks above flat brick arches. A modillion eaves cornice extends to a central triangular pediment with a lunette above. The original roof is of grouted scantle slate on the right-hand house (No.1), Delabole slate on the middle house (No.2), and dry slate on the left-hand house (No.3). The building features two brick axial stacks and an end stack on the right.

The buildings were originally designed as a unified “palace” front, with each house intended to have a symmetrical five-window façade. The central house was emphasized by having its central three bays projected forward and crowned with a pediment. The symmetry of No.1 has been disrupted by the insertion of shop fronts in the early 20th century. Further alterations include the insertion of doorways into No.2, utilizing former window openings. The windows of No.1 are currently boarded over, while the other windows are late 19th-century horned sashes or 20th-century replacements. The original open-pedimented and pilastered doorways retain round-arched fanlights, with a spoke design characteristic of No.1.

The interior of No.2 contains a semi-circular arch between the vestibule and stair hall, as well as an original open-well staircase with stick balusters and a ramped handrail curving over the newel. There are also some original doors and an original chimney-piece in the first-floor right-hand room.

Historically, No.2 served as the Custom House from the late 18th century until the construction of the new Custom House in 1814.