3 And 5, East Street

ILMINSTER

ST3614 EAST STREET 1939-1/7/31 (North side) Nos.3 AND 5

GV II

Offices, formerly a shirt factory. Dated 1916. Rough Ham Hill stone ashlar; fine ashlar and reconstructed Minster stone dressings; slate roof. U-shape plan with central courtyard. 3 storeys; 6-window range to 3-bay front. A central segmental archway with stepped voussoirs, double iron gates and rusticated jambs, is flanked by full-height pilasters with balls to the tops and dying into the plinth at the base; 2 similar ones to the outsides cant back to the returns and look more solid. Each of the 3 bays thus formed have 2 windows to each floor, except to ground-floor right which has 3 windows. The ground floor has 2-light fixed windows with top vents and chamfered jambs; both floors above have 6/6-pane sashes in moulded architraves. There is a continuous string course above the ground floor, but one above the first floor is contained between the pilasters, as is the heavy dentillation to the cornice above the second floor. The cornice itself is continuous below the parapet, which is said to be constructed of local Minster stone. This has 8 circles and a central panel between each pilaster. The panel above the entrance bears a datestone 1916. The buildings facing the courtyard are of brick. INTERIOR not inspected. HISTORY: Shirtmaking was one of the principal industries in the C19. This building is said to be one of the earliest uses of Minster stone. Included for group value.

Listing NGR: ST3623314558