Hoopern House

Hoopern House

This large mansion on Pennsylvania Road (west side) has a core built before 1831 for E.P. Lyon, with later 19th-century alterations and extension. It is now used by the University of Exeter as the Institute of Population Studies. The building is constructed of mass wall with unpainted stucco and features channelled rustication at ground floor level, displaying a Classical Revival style.

The plan consists of two rooms wide on either side of an entrance hall and stair with a deep rectangular form. A service block to the rear may represent the core of the 1831 house, while the main range is probably an addition of the 1860s.

The main range is two storeys high with a symmetrical five-bay front. A moulded band runs at first floor sill level, and an elaborate eaves cornice features dentils and a triglyph frieze. The parapet conceals the roof. The central main entrance has a Doric porch with sides infilled at a later date. The doorcase includes an overlight and panes flanking a nine-panel door. Ground floor windows are hornless sashes with the top sash having six panes and the bottom sash without glazing bars, set within pedimented architraves with aprons. First floor windows are four-pane horned sashes. Housing for horizontal sliding shutters (now missing) is visible on several windows.

The right return is stuccoed with channelled rustication and banding at first floor level, with the eaves cornice continuing over five bays. Some blind windows appear at both floor levels, alongside sixteen-pane hornless sashes at ground floor and four-pane horned sashes at first floor. The central first floor window retains housing for horizontal shutters (now missing). Steps lead down to basement access below ground floor level. A slightly lower two-storey service block, now numbered 103 and used for student accommodation, adjoins to the right. This has painted stucco finish and three bays. Ground floor contains three thirty-pane hornless sash windows with a later entrance inserted between the first and second windows. First floor has two two-light casement windows. A shallow hipped roof with asbestos slates is visible above the parapet. Cellars beneath this block run into those beneath Hoopern House itself.

The left return of the main range is stuccoed with channelled rustication and moulded banding at first floor level, with the eaves cornice continuing. Evidence of a probable former conservatory, now missing, is visible. Ground floor left has steps up to a half-glazed two-leaf entrance with deep rectangular overlight and glazed panels flanking the door. First floor features a tripartite hornless sash with the left window 1/2, the middle window 3/6, and a blind window in the third bay. Both glazed windows retain housing for horizontal shutters (now missing).

The interior is only partially documented. Features include an elaborate inner door with geometric stained glass, an open well-stair with turned balusters, and original doorcases and doors.

According to historical records, Hoopern House became the home of Mark Kennaway, a local philanthropist and leading Exeter Liberal. Following his death in 1877, a sale notice listed extensive outbuildings: a stable with three stalls, another with three looseboxes, a coach-house for three carriages, a brew house, piggeries, and other accessories, with the large yard supplied with hard and soft water.

Despite alterations, this remains a good quality villa with many features of architectural interest.