Numbers 33 And 34 And Attached Railings

A pair of houses, numbers 33 and 34, built around 1824 to 1828, and originally known as Montpellier Retreat. The architect was likely John Forbes, who served as architect and surveyor to the Pittville Estate from around 1835 to 1836. The houses are constructed of stucco over brick, with concealed roofs and stucco chimney stacks. They have wrought iron balconies and attached forecourt railings.

The houses are three storeys high with basement levels, and feature six windows on the first floor. The original windows are 2/2 sashed, while basement windows include 6/6 and 2/2 sashes. All windows are set in plain reveals, with sills on decorative architraves that have scrolled shoulders. The front entrances are flanked by flights of steps leading to six-panel doors with sidelights and overlights; the left-hand entrance has margin lights. Wide eaves are present. The rear of the building retains 6/6 sashed windows.

Inside, some original features remain, including in the right-hand house a dogleg staircase with stick balusters and a newel carved as a lion’s claw, and a hall with a modillion cornice. The interior of the other house was not inspected in detail.

First-floor windows are each accompanied by individual balconies, decorated with an embellished oval motif. The railings are lancet style; those on the right-hand side incorporate bars and dog-bars.