159 AND 161, HIGH STREET

A pair of early to mid-19th century houses at the upper end of a short row, located on the south side of High Street in Fortuneswell, Portland. The front of the buildings is constructed from large, squared cut blocks and rendered on the gable; the roof is covered with asbestos cement slates to the front and slate to the back. The houses are two storeys high with an attic, each having one window. They contain 4-pane replacement sash windows and centrally located 6-panel doors with glazed sections. The sashes in number 159 are deeper than those in 161. A coped verge is visible on the left side, and brick gable stacks stand on a stone base to the right. The rear elevation features a central paired, small, flat-roofed dormer, flanked by new roof lights above 4-pane sashes and replacement doors. A small paved area and four concrete steps lead to the front doors. The return gable faces Cove Cottages. The pair, along with the adjoining number 163, were recently renovated in June 1991 with replacement windows that are sympathetic to the original architectural detail.