36, New Street

This is a probable late 17th-century merchant's house, located on New Street within the Barbican area of Plymouth, which has undergone later remodelling. The ground floor is constructed of painted brick in English bond, set upon a rubble plinth, suggesting an early 18th-century underbuilding and possible former jettied front. Rendered walls rise above, topped by a dry slate mansard roof with three dormer windows, the roofline dipping over a rear outshut. There are substantial rubble lateral stacks to the rear left, a truncated stack to the outshut’s rear, and two stacks along the right-hand wall of a wing.

The building has a single-depth plan with a later rear outshut and a deep rear wing to the right. The front presents a symmetrical three-window façade, likely a result of 18th-century alterations. Modern horned sash windows with glazing bars are set within architraves, and a straight joint is visible in the brickwork to the right of the doorway.

The interior features 17th-century plank and muntin panelling to the central passage. A two-panel fielded door sits to the right of the passage, leading to a rear right stair hall. Within this hall is a good late 17th-century staircase, characterized by a closed string, moulded handrail, turned balusters, square newels, and remnants of pendants. A surviving 17th-century ovolo-moulded door frame, with Tudor rose stops, is located further along the passage. A left-hand room retains 18th-century dado panelling, alongside cupboard remnants near the fireplace, and a Tudor rose positioned high on the wall. The right-hand room displays late 17th or 18th century oak panelling, and a moulded wooden cornice; the panelling has been altered reflecting changes to the front window. A mid-18th century dog-leg staircase with turned column-over-vase balusters is located on the second floor. Further features of potential interest, including the roof structure, remain uninspected.

New Street is notable for its high concentration of fine 17th and 18th century houses. Number 36 stands as a substantially complete example of a late 17th-century merchant’s house, retaining its original plan and other features of significance.