Numbers 45 And 53 And Attached Area Railings

Numbers 45 and 53, and attached area railings, form a terrace of five houses (now flats at number 45) built around 1836-7. They were probably designed by John Forbes and constructed by Thomas Millward for Joseph Pitt as part of the development of Pittville Lawn, beginning in 1825 and continuing until 1842. The houses are stucco over brick, with a concealed roof, brick and stucco end walls, and rear chimney stacks. Wrought iron balconies and railings are prominent features.

The three-storey elevation on basement level has fifteen first-floor windows (three per house), with the central and end houses projecting forward. Stucco detailing includes a continuous band at the second floor level. The central projection features Doric pilasters at the ends and two three-quarter engaged Ionic columns between the windows, topped with a continuous crowning frieze, cornice, and blocking course with copings, raised centrally. The windows are largely 2/2 sashes and 6/6 sashes, many original, in plain reveals with sills. Windows in the projecting sections are set within shallow, elliptically-arched recesses. Some windows have retained blind boxes. The entrances on the right-hand side feature flights of five roll-edged steps leading to five- and six-panel doors, some with lower flush panels and overlights; the central three entrances have overlights, with the outer two having elliptically-arched lights containing lozenge-shaped glazing bars. Some original 2/2 horizontal-pane and 6/6 sashes remain to the rear.

The ironwork to number 49 was made by William Montague and Charles Church, ironmasters of Gloucester; the balconies feature a double lozenge motif. The area railings, and those to the sides of the steps, have flattened spearheads. The terrace originally known as The Central Carriage Drive, later received the name Pittville Lawn, which initially applied to the terraces now comprising numbers 29-37 (odd), 45-53 (odd), and 59-67 (odd). The listed buildings along Pittville Lawn form a distinguished architectural group.