52-58, PROMENADE

CHELTENHAM

SO9422SE PROMENADE 630-1/13/739 (South East side) 05/05/72 Nos.52-58 (Even)

GV II

Terrace of 4 houses, now 5 shops. c1820-40 with later additions and alterations including conversion to shops probably pre-1845 and ground-floor shop fronts of c1892 and c1970s. Stucco over brick with slate roof, tall brick and studd ridge stacks and iron balustrade. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, 7 first-floor windows (arranged 3:2:2). Off-centre right pedimented breakforward. Art Nouveau detailing to 3 left shop fronts. Stucco detailing includes pilasters with sunk panels to breakforward; continuous cornice, wide eaves and central pediment. First floor has 6/6 sashes throughout, the outer 5 in stepped reveals. Shop fronts: that to right is late C20 plate glass; otherwise a unit of 3, retaining pilasters, fascia board and dentil frieze with embellished dividers supporting balustrade. Shop front to left (No.52) is of 1892 with glazed panel to left and embellished mullion, then canted pane into doorway with Art Nouveau heart-shaped glazing bars and original brass mermaid handle, to right a curved pane; deep frieze has intersecting glazing bars; initialed 'P' to left part. Otherwise replacement plate glass frontage and entrances. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: balustrade across 3 left shop fronts has Art Nouveau intersecting motif with foliate embellishments and tulip finials. HISTORICAL NOTE: The Promenade was laid out in 1818 as a tree-lined avenue from the Colonnade in the High Street to the Sherborne Spa (on the site of the Queen's Hotel (qv)), by 1826 it was a carriage drive with spacious gravelled walk on each side. Although originally on either side were 'rows of elegant houses,' by 1845 when Rowe wrote his Cheltenham Guide (published 1850) he noted that 'nearly the whole of the left-hand (SE) side .. is devoted to professional or business establishments'. The shopfront to No.52 is a fine example of its type. (The Buildings of England: Verey D: Gloucestershire: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: London: 1970-: 146; Williams GA: Guide Book to Cheltenham: 1824-: 29; Chatwin A: Cheltenham's Ornamental Ironwork: Cheltenham: 1975-1984: 29; Rowe G: Illustrated Cheltenham Guide: Cheltenham: 1850-1969: 12-14).

Listing NGR: SO9484522324