Hms Drake St Nicholas Road Grenville Block

This is a large barrack block, built in 1901 as part of the HMS Drake complex in Devonport, designed by Superintendent Engineer Lt-Col P Smith, a member of the Royal Engineers. It is one of three similar buildings.

The building is constructed of dressed Plymouth limestone with limestone dressings, and has a slate or asbestos slate roof hidden behind parapets. The parapets feature moulded cornices to the sides and projecting elements, as well as pedimented gables with flanking stone stacks, incorporating a moulded entablature. The design is Free Classical in style.

The building has an overall rectangular plan with projecting corner wings and central wings to the sides. It is three storeys high, with a basement on the lower ground level; the ground floor is slightly below ground level at the higher end. The symmetrical ends, with a 2:3:2-bay arrangement, are the principal entrance fronts, each with a central doorway flanked by pairs of windows. Additional doorways and windows are spaced irregularly along the 2:8:2:8:2-bay sides. A mid-floor moulded entablature runs along the elevation; the entrance fronts feature keyed segmental arches above the ground floor doorways, and pediments over the wings. Recessed pilastered openings on the first floor have rounded arches, while the second floor windows have flat heads and pediments. The corner blocks share similar detailing. The central wings of the sides have rock-faced pilasters dividing the bays, topped with triangular pediments. The long ranges set back between the corner blocks feature pedimented hoods on brackets over the first-floor windows and consoles resembling machicolations above the second-floor windows. Original horned sash windows with glazing bars and panelled doors remain.

The interior, which has not been inspected, is noted to contain large dormitories, with end corner washrooms and central staircases. Originally, the barracks were designed following the pavilion principle, a design more commonly associated with hospitals. Sailors lived aboard ships (hulks) until these barracks were built, first at Devonport, then at Chatham and Portsmouth; HMS Drake was the only such construction using ashlar. This complex represents some of the finest and most complete barrack complexes in England, reflecting the status and importance of the Royal Navy during this period.