Montpellier House (West Part)

Montpellier House (west part), also known as Suffolk Mews, is a villa dating from 1832, with later additions and alterations. The architect was Edward Jenkins. The exterior is ashlar facing brick, with a concealed roof. The building is two storeys with a basement and has seven first-floor windows. The end and centre bays project slightly. The end bays feature full-height Ionic pilasters and a continuous crowning entablature. The windows have tooled architraves; those on the first floor are eared, those on the ground floor have a frieze and cornice, and those at the ends have pediments on console brackets and acroteria. Chamfered sills are present. Most windows are 6/6 sashes, although some are 1/1 sashes. An Ionic portico with two pairs of fluted columns, now glazed in, provides access through part-glazed double doors with sidelights and an overlight. The right return has three plus one first-floor windows, the end range being slightly lower. The ends and centres of the main range project; Ionic and Doric pilasters are visible. The ground floor features a rectangular bay with Doric pilasters, 1/1 sashes, and tripartite windows with 6/6 sashes between 2/2 sashes, incorporating two blind openings, all within tooled architraves, with a pediment similar to those on the main facade. The rear elevation features 6/9 and 6/6 sashes. A staircase has a 6/6 sash window with radial glazing bars to the head and margin-lights. The hall retains an embellished cornice with acanthus modillions. The interior retains original features, including an open-well staircase with an iron balustrade featuring lozenge and oval motifs, and a wreathed handrail. Marble fireplaces are also present. Sir Robert Smirke lived and died in the property between 1859 and 1867. Suffolk Square occupies land originally bought by the Earl of Suffolk from the de la Bere family. His daughter later sold land to developer James Fisher. The square was shown laid out, but not complete, on the Post Office Map of 1820. The building abuts Montpellier House (east part) and contributes to a distinguished group of buildings in Suffolk Square.