Acton And Attached Area Railings

This is a villa with attached area railings, built in 1825. It is likely the work of Edward Jenkins and is now converted into flats. The villa is constructed of ashlar over brick and has a double-pitch slate roof. It features stuccoed end and off-centre ridge stacks and iron balconies.

The plan is of a double-depth layout with a central hallway. The exterior has three storeys over a basement, with five windows on the first floor. Ashlar detailing includes slender Doric pilasters to the ends and flanking the central first-floor window, horizontal rustication to the ground floor topped by a first-floor band with incised decoration, and a continuous crowning entablature. The first-floor central window has a tooled architrave and cornice supported by consoles. A moulded string runs along the outer bays of the second floor. Original 6/6 sash windows are mostly retained, in plain reveals with sills. The basement also features 6/6 sash windows. A central entrance leads to a flight of six roll-edged steps to a distyle Ionic porch with an entablature and a four-panel door with an overlight featuring margin-lights. The rear of the building retains 6/6 sash windows, and a round-arched 6/6 staircase sash with radial glazing to the head.

The left return has a three-window range with mainly blind openings. The ground floor has horizontal rustication with voussoirs over the windows, while the first and second floor bands feature incised detailing. The interior retains original features, including an open-well staircase with alternating stick and embellished rod balusters and a wreathed handrail. Original joinery includes panelled shutters to the windows and a modillion cornice with paterae in the hall. There are also some marble fireplaces.

Subsidiary features include individual balconies to the ground floor windows, featuring ornate scroll and flower motifs. The area railings have a stylized double heart motif, while the rear railings have a scrolled lozenge motif.

The property is located within Suffolk Square, which was built on land previously owned by the Earl of Suffolk, and purchased for development in 1823. The buildings around Suffolk Square form a distinguished group.