National Westminster Bank

This is an exceptional bank building constructed in the Grecian Classical style. It dates to the early 20th century, with steel-frame construction and a reinforced concrete base. The building has five storeys and a basement, and its facades extend along Bute Street and West Bute Street, presenting a seven-bay elevation to each street.

The architectural design is notable for its Portland stone facings throughout. The Banking Hall and first floor are defined by a giant order of fluted Ionic columns with ribbed bases on high pedestals. The capitals are embellished with stylised acanthus and anthemion ornament, and a dentil cornice runs behind the columns. The columns are paired at the ends and support an overall frieze, which currently bears modern lettering, but retains the original cornice featuring lion heads above each column. The windows are framed with a fretted metal design, incorporating a panelled lintel band, horizontal and marginal glazing bars, and barred basement windows, some of which are now blocked. A band course is positioned above the second floor, displaying bolection-moulded architraves on the Bute Street front and bracket and dentil cornices on the West Bute Street front. The third and fourth floors are visually linked through recessed windows, featuring painted metal panels with roundels between floors and panelled aprons below. A modillion cornice tops the building, followed by a slightly ramped low parapet.

The main entrance is located at the extreme north end of the building, opening onto a lobby and a corridor that runs between the two streets. A volute bracketed cornice is surmounted by a bronze statue of Equity by J A Stevenson. The entrance features fleuron bosses to the architrave, panelled reveals, and doors with brass fittings. The side elevations are skewed due to the shape of the site.

The grand, open-plan Banking Hall follows a basilica plan. The interior is characterized by brightly painted Classical details and finely finished Echallion marble walls, extending 24 metres in length and reaching a height of 6.3 metres. A semicircular end faces west, incorporating a panelled and gilded ceiling. The central area behind the counters is top-lit by a segmental-shaped roof with panelled ribs and bosses. The space is supported by fluted marble columns with square abaci and matching pilasters on the outer walls. A full Doric frieze, adorned with plaster roundels based on Greek coins from the British Museum, is also present, echoing other Classical elements within the Banking Hall. Outer walls feature guilloche pattern bands over high marble facings, and bracket cornices to the doors. Some original furnishings remain, notably mahogany counters with guilloche banding, alongside modern security screens. Offices are arranged around the Banking Hall.

A fine staircase, centrally located within a similarly finished Echallion marble corridor, is distinguished by a painted iron balustrade and banding. A 'NP' monogram is incorporated, along with a brass handrail with scrolled ends and tapered newel posts. A semicircular projection with a coffered ceiling and original doors is found at the Bute Street end of the corridor, while at the West Bute Street end, it steps down into a domical lobby featuring a cornice and panelled drum. While interior detailing is simplified on the upper floors, a panelled room is reportedly retained at the top.