North Yard Offices (N 215) And Attached Front Walls

SX 4555 NW PLYMOUTH NORTH YARD, Devonport Dockyard 740-1/92/196 North Yard Offices (N 215) and attached front walls

GV II

Terrace of offices. Dated 1903 and 1910 above entrances. Limestone ashlar with parapeted slate roofs. Classical style. Double-depth plan. EXTERIOR: facade consists of 3 blocks of 3-storey terraces, linked by recessed 2-storey bays, the ground rising towards the south. North terrace of 3:13:3 fenestration with plat bands, cornice to parapet, pilasters to pedimented outer 3-window bays and slightly-projecting central one-window entrance bay: horned 6/6 pane sashes; hollow-moulded architrave to rusticated entrance, surmounted by pilasters framing tripartite windows (pedimented to first floor) and rising to date panel set above cornice. Terrace wall with steps and lamps to front, with south-end steps terminating next to central terrace. Central terrace of 4:3:4:3:4 fenestration with pilasters framing 3-window pedimented bays, plat bands, cornice to parapet and battered plinth of rougher stone; 6/9-pane sashes to 2-storey elevation, of equal height to flanking terraces; entrance to 3-window pedimented bay on right, with continuous cornice broken by pedimented tripartite window with pilasters set above semi-circular arched rusticated entrance. South terrace of 2:3:2:3:2-window fenestration is treated in a more robust manner than the others, with chamfered surrounds to horned 6/6-pane sashes, bracketed cornices to parapets, and battered walls to slightly projecting 2-window outer bays and narrow central entrance bay with paired smaller sashes; bolection-moulded doorway to porch with cornice. INTERIORS: noted as retaining original joinery, including doors, and open-well staircases. HISTORY: built to serve the Key ham extension to the Dockyard (opened 1907). A plain but prominent facade, forming an important part of the Key ham extension linking the former dockyard entrance, now the Police House with the retaining wall behind the Quadrangle (qv), and marking the end of an important period of expansion in the Dockyard. Included as part of a group with the Police House, retaining wall and Quadrangle (qv). (Source: The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989: 653).

Listing NGR: SX4510355598