George Hotel (Number 41 To 49) And Attached Railings To Numbers 29 To 39 And 43 To 49

The George Hotel (numbers 41 to 49) and associated railings to numbers 29 to 39 and 43 to 49 form a terrace of fifteen houses, now used as houses and a hotel, built around 1837-45, with later alterations. The buildings are constructed of stucco over brick with slate roofs, and include a brick and stucco party wall, end and rear stacks. Wrought iron verandahs, balustrades and railings are also present, except for number 41.

The design follows a double-depth plan with side stairwells and full-height service ranges to the rear. The houses at either end and centrally have projecting ground floors; the left-hand pavilion features six fluted Ionic columns spanning the upper two floors and topped with a pediment, disrupting the intended symmetry of the terrace. The buildings are three storeys high, with three windows on each first floor. Detailing includes horizontal rustication on the ground floor, and tooled architraves to the first and second-floor windows, with cornices to the first-floor windows. A crowning entablature is missing on the right-hand side. Window sashes are generally 6/6 on the ground and first floors, 3/6 on the second floor, and 8/8 or 3/6 in the basements, all set in plain reveals with sills. Access is provided by flights of roll-edged steps leading to 2- and 4-panel doors with overlights, some incorporating margin lights.

The interior retains original joinery and plasterwork, including panelled shutters. Many houses feature open-well staircases with alternate stick and embellished rods, wreathed handrails, white marble fireplaces, and cornices with acanthus modillions and fleurons.

The railings at number 29 extend approximately 5 metres, finished with urn finials on the stanchions. Area railings and those to the sides of the steps feature an interlaced lozenge motif. Balconies to several houses display decorative motifs, including anthemions derived from Henry Shaw’s design for Upper Woburn Place.

The terrace originally faced the grounds of Bayshill House (now demolished).