Hms Drake Seymour Building

HMS Drake Seymour Building is an officer's accommodation block, now used as an administration building on a naval base, constructed between 1879 and 1886 under the supervision of Superintendent Engineer Lt-Col P Smith, RE. The building is constructed of Plymouth rusticated limestone ashlar to the basement of the right-hand block, with dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course above, along with limestone dressings. It has dry slate mansard roofs. Dormer windows are placed behind the parapets of the centre and left-hand sections; the right-hand block features pilastered dormer windows with segmental pediments, flanked by attic storeys to the end bays surmounted by balustraded parapets. All parapets have moulded cornices.

The building is designed in a Free Classical style and features an articulated rectangular plan. The main front is two storeys high plus an attic over a basement, with a 1:3:1:3:1:3:1 bay arrangement. Keyed segmental arches and a string course are visible on the basement level. Pilasters flank the bays, which are broken forward, and architraves frame the openings. The original windows are 12-pane horned sashes, with French windows leading to balconies. The recessed central bays contain a central doorway accessed by steps via a bridge. The moulded doorway projects forward, featuring arms between the door head and a moulded entablature; the window immediately above the entablature has scrolled abutments. The right-hand block displays fretted balconies on shaped brackets and consoles with hoods above the French windows, together with a segmental pediment over the central balcony. The attic storeys have three bays, incorporating blind side bays, and are divided by pilasters. Similar detailing is present on other elevations where inspected.

The interior has not been inspected. Initially the building served as officers’ accommodation. The officers relocated to the Wardroom (listed separately) in 1902. Sailors had previously lived in hulks, but this marked the construction of the first naval barracks at Devonport, followed by comparable designs in brick at Chatham and Portsmouth.

The building forms part of one of the most significant and complete barrack complexes in England, showcasing the importance and status of the Royal Navy at the time.