National Westminster Bank And Attached Walls

CHIPPENHAM

ST9273SW HIGH STREET 930-1/10/53 (North side) 22/06/78 No.30 National Westminster Bank and attached walls

II

Bank. 1876. By GM Silley for the National Provincial Bank. Limestone ashlar, hipped slate roof with moulded ashlar stacks which sweep up from the eaves. Mannerist Classical style. Double-depth plan with rear extensions. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys; symmetrical 5-bay front. Wide eaves, dentilled cornice and blocking course to facade and returns. Horned plate-glass sash windows to the 1st floor; 3 recessed bays to centre articulated by fluted Doric columns in antis, flanked by carved floral drops; paired antae flank both outer bays and above them are curved brackets to the cornice. The ground floor and walls to the sides have chamfered rustication below an ornamental band and a triglyph frieze to a cornice at sill level. The ranges flanking the door are recessed; a moulded impost band and archivolts to semicircular-arched windows with heavy moulded keystones set in ornamented band. C20 glazing. Moulded sill and plinth. Steps up to C20 door flanked by Doric columns with blocks which rest on the plinth and support the impost string; above it an ornamented semicircular panel continues the arcading of the windows. The returns are similar but simpler. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: on each side coped walls sweep up to meet the triglyph frieze. Each has a wide flat arch with chamfered voussoirs and a large keystone. The arch to the right has C20 double gates. A vigorous and eclectic example of Palazzo-style mid C19 commercial architecture, contrasting in style to the much more conservative but contemporary No.29 (qv). (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N & Cherry B: Wiltshire: London: 1967-1975: 172).

Listing NGR: ST9203373343