Park and Dare Workmen's Institute and Hall is a Grade II* listed building in the Rhondda Cynon Taf local planning authority area, Wales. First listed on 20 December 1996. Workmen's institute and hall.

Park and Dare Workmen's Institute and Hall

WRENN ID
forbidden-wall-blackthorn
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Country
Wales
Date first listed
20 December 1996
Type
Workmen's institute and hall
Source
Cadw listing

Description

The Dyfodwg Street frontage, a grand four storey classical composition, towers above and dominates the surrounding shops and housing. Built of coursed rock-faced sandstone with ashlar dressings, dark to ground floor, paler above; rendered with painted brick dressings to side and rear; Welsh slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles and ventilators; leaded fly tower dormers. A central pedimented bay breaks forward slightly; the pediment has two tiers of mouldings, a blind keyed oculus datestone and inscribed frieze 'Park & Dare Workmens'(sic) Hall'. Channelled pilasters rising through 3 storeys support the pediment, with a panel enriched by a circular motif at frieze level and surmounted by orb finials on heavily moulded bases. The 3 top storey windows are set within an applied round arched arcade with deep keystones rising to the inscription band; the windows themselves have broken pediments and aprons; renewed glazing throughout. Second and first storey windows both have decorative surrounds and are separated by pilasters, the storeys themselves by heavily moulded string courses. Ground floor is of large channelled ashlar blocks with two deep set entrance doorways with deep keystones and glazed swing doors separated by a mullioned window. The two recessed bays each have a balustraded parapet above a bracketed cornice, ashlar channelled quoin strip and a single window with renewed glazing on each storey, with ashlar surrounds and bands above and below. To side are cross bays and a range of blind windows. Surviving original glazing to rear is 1/1 horned sash.

The Station Street frontage is lower and more domestic in appearance. Built of snecked rockfaced sandstone with ashlar dressings and Welsh slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles. Also of 4 storeys including attic and semi-basement with frontage of 5 bays, 3 of which have gables with finials, small columns supporting the kneelers, and break forward; the two outer each with 2 storey canted bays with moulded sill and cornice band and pitched roof. Windows with renewed glazing are paired for the 3 central bays. Central double doorway with steep gabled surround and prominent kneelers has coloured glass overlight with ' Park and Dare Workmens Institute' in Art Nouveau lettering and steps up to interior doors. Simple two bay side frontage joins a service bay which links with the theatre block.

The theatre remains mostly unaltered with two tiers of galleries each supported by 6 slender cast iron columns with fronts decorated with robustly moulded plaster foliage panels and moulded bands above and to soffit; wide and high basket arched proscenium arch, heavily moulded with a large centre moulded plaster crest; painted boarded ceiling in panels; 4 panelled doors. Other parts have been refurbished to provide new facilities.

Detailed Attributes

Structured analysis including materials, construction techniques, architect attribution, and related listed building consent applications. Sign in or create a free account to view.

Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.