Former Royal Naval Hospital: 19 The Square

This building, formerly part of the Royal Naval Hospital, dates from the mid to late 18th century and is now offices. It was originally used as barracks for the hospital constabulary and stands outside the original south entrance to the hospital complex. Constructed from Plymouth limestone rubble with limestone dressings, it has a slate hipped roof. The building is single-depth and three storeys high, with a five-window front. Horizontal plat bands define each floor, topped by a coped parapet which slopes down on the left side. The ground floor features plain architraves to the two central windows, which contain glazing bars, along with two-light casements above. A blocked entrance is on the right, and a doorway is at the left end. The rear elevation has no ground floor windows, with five first-floor windows, two second-floor windows, and a tall, narrow stairwell light to the south. The interior contains a dogleg staircase from the entrance, with mid-19th century mouldings. The building’s detailing is similar to that of the nearby Stonehouse Marines barracks from the 1760s, and it is part of an exceptional and complete military hospital complex of group value.