Fitzroy Memorial Library

TQ 4110 SE 10/129

LEWES HIGH STREET (south side) Fitzroy Memorial Library

(Formerly listed as No 10 Fitzroy House)

11.5.70

GV II

Library, now house. 1862 by Sir George Gilbert Scott for the widow of the Hon. Henry Fitzroy, M.P., in a neo-Gothic style. Red brick with stone dressings and some black brick decorative patterning. Slate hipped roof with bell-cast. 2 storey front block with double height octagonal library to rear. Front elevation: Stone dressed plinth, stone string-course with black brick chequering below and heavily bracketted stone eaves cornice, again with some black brick chequering below. Tall 3-shafted stack at left end with stone dressings and caps. Finials and ridge cresting to roof, with tall central Gothic-style aedicular cupola, with gables on 2 levels, finials at corners on lower level and finial. 3 window front. Central gabled semi-dormer, with stone parapetted gable and stone kneelers, supported on 2 marble columns with foliage capitals. Pointed central arch with moulded surround, on 2 further marble columns, flanking 2-light window with foliage capitals to surround, central marble column with similar foliage capital, cusped heads to lights and quatrefoil window above. 2-light windows flanking on first floor in square surrounds, both of 2 lights with cusped heads, central marble column with foliage capitals and decorative stone lintel. 2-light windows on ground-floor flanking centre, both cusped lancets in roll-moulded surrounds again with central marble columns and flanking capitals in surrounds. Central moulded pointed-arched door surround, with inset cusped decoration in arch, on 2 marble columns with foliage capitals. Large balcony over with iron rails, on deep brackets, supported on pair of large marble columns with foliage capitals. Paired boarded and ribbed doors. Right return front: 2 storeys with parapet and stone string. 3 bays with giant arched recesses, foliage capitals supporting brick and stone striped arches. Plate traceried rose windows in each arch. 2-light, round-headed windows below with impost bands, carved blocks and central marble columns with foliage capitals. Interior: Hall-way with with single flight stair to left, with neo-Gothic balustrade. Octagonal reading room behind hall, top-lit with wooden galleries on columns, all decorated with neo-gothic detail. C20 roof-lights.

Listing NGR: TQ4184710206