Nos 12 And 14 And Attached Railings To No 14

A pair of villas, likely dating from around 1840, originally intended as a unified design and now divided into flats. They are constructed of rendered material, with a hipped slate roof and stacks featuring rendered shafts with platbands. The overall plan is a U-shape, with two wings flanking a central range, and the villas are entered towards the centre.

The symmetrical front elevation has a 3:3:3 bay arrangement. The wings are three storeys high – the ground floor of No.14 is actually a half-basement – while the central section is two storeys. Deep eaves and pilaster strips on the wings are notable features, along with a platband at the sill level of the second floor. A recessed central block features a shallow, pedimented gable. A three-bay Doric arcade across the front forms a breccia-paved verandah with round-headed arches supported by paired columns. Red breccia steps lead up to the front doors on the left and right. The central bay contains a tripartite sash window with a 16-pane centre flanked by 2-pane sashes. The front doors are six-panelled, with fluted mouldings on the lower panels, and overlights with diamond leaded panes. There are two 12-pane sash windows to the first floor. Ground floor doors are recessed six-panelled types, with overlights, serving Nos.12 and the half-basement of No.14. Most windows are 12-pane C19 sashes, with some reglazing within the original window openings on the ground floor. A round-headed two-light window with spoke glazing bars is present on the right return of the left-hand wing; the left return includes a French window with glazing bars, a deep overlight and a second-floor 12-pane sash. The rear elevation was not inspected during the survey. Spearhead railings are attached to the half-basement of No.14. The interior was not inspected but may contain features of interest. This pair of villas is considered a particularly accomplished and self-conscious design inspired by classical villa traditions, and they are related to Nos. 2 and 4 nearby.