Hms Drake Seymour Building

SX45NW 740-1/4/170 08/07/98

PLYMOUTH SALTASH ROAD, Devonport (West side) HMS Drake: Seymour Building

GV II

Officer's accommodation, now administration block on naval base. 1879-86, Superintendent Engineer Lt-Col P Smith, RE. MATERIALS: Plymouth rusticated limestone ashlar to basement of right-hand block, dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course above and with limestone dressings; dry slate mansard roofs; dormer windows behind parapets to centre and left; right-hand block with pilastered dormer windows with segmental pediments flanked by attic storeys to end bays surmounted by balustraded parapets; all parapets with moulded cornices. Free Classical style. PLAN: articulated rectangular plan. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys plus attic over basement; 1:3:1:3:1:3:1-bay front. Keyed segmental arches and string to basement; pilasters flanking bays which are broken forward; architraves to openings; original 12-pane horned sashes and French windows to balconies. Recessed central bays have central doorway approached by steps on bridge. The moulded doorway is broken forward and has arms between door head and moulded entablature; window immediately above entablature has scrolled abutments. Right-hand block has fretted balconies on shaped brackets and consoles with hoods above French windows; central bay has segmental pediment to balcony. Attic storeys are 3 bays, with blind side bays, divided by pilasters. Other elevations with similar detail where inspected. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORY: this was the original officers' accommodations when the barracks was first occupied. The officers moved into their new quarters in the Wardroom (qv) when it was completed in 1902. Sailors lived in hulks until the first naval barracks were built here at Devonport, followed by similar designs in brick at Chatham and Portsmouth. Part of one of the finest and most complete barrack complexes in England, manifesting the importance and status of the Royal Navy at this time. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989-: 655 & 656).

Listing NGR: SX4502156764