National Westminster Bank

WEYMOUTH

SY6779SE ST THOMAS STREET 873-1/20/358 (West side) No.76 National Westminster Bank

II

Includes: National Westminster Bank LOWER BOND STREET. Bank. c1900. Cream ashlar, Portland stone to ground floor, slate roof. An Italianate design, returning to Lower Bond Street by an accentuated quadrant corner. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys, 4 windows to St Thomas Street, 1-window quadrant corner, and 5-window return, generally plain sash. The main front has square sashes with moulded architraves and sills, above deeper sashes with architraves to flared feet, under moulded pediments, segmental to the centre and triangular to the outer bays. At the corner, in channelling, is a vertical elliptical oculus with glazing bars, in a scrolled cartouche surround above a projecting oriel with 3 sashes with Ionic pilaster mullions, stone dome over an entablature with egg-and-dart cornice, and skirt carried on a bold baroque shell-bracket. Ground floor is channelled, with one wide window having scrolled lintel supports, and 2 narrower lights divided by an unfluted Ionic three-quarter column. A polished red granite plinth, a modillion cornice at ground floor, the frieze concealed by a late C20 lettering sign, and a modillion eaves cornice. Above the quadrant, which is slightly recessed, is a fine carved coat of arms with supports, set on a broken baroque pediment and a base with scroll supporters. The main entrance, across the corner, has a very heavy bolection-mould door surround in polished red granite over a pair of doors. The return front is detailed as to St Thomas Street, with some simplification; a 2-storey canted oriel with flat pilaster mullions and panelled skirt is set over a wide 2-light opening with unfluted Ionic three-quarter column as mullion, carrying a bracket under the oriel. To the right are 3 square sashes at second floor, over 2 at first floor with segmental pediments, and a Palladian sash with Ionic within Doric pilasters, on a deep sill with moulded brackets. Ground floor has 2 plain and 3 narrow lights. There are 3 ridge stacks in Portland stone, with skirts and small moulded cappings. INTERIOR: not inspected. The building makes a clear statement at this street crossing, with an eye-catching turning of the corner.

Listing NGR: SY6790779004