Latitude: 51.4617 / 51°27'42"N
Longitude: -0.2159 / 0°12'57"W
OS Eastings: 524035
OS Northings: 175146
OS Grid: TQ240751
Mapcode National: GBR BJ.Q6X
Mapcode Global: VHGR4.6JP9
Plus Code: 9C3XFQ6M+MJ
Entry Name: Newnes Public Library
Listing Date: 13 December 1994
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1331702
English Heritage Legacy ID: 422726
ID on this website: 101331702
Location: Putney, Wandsworth, London, SW15
County: London
District: Wandsworth
Electoral Ward/Division: Thamesfield
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Wandsworth
Traditional County: Surrey
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London
Church of England Parish: Putney
Church of England Diocese: Southwark
Tagged with: Public library Library building
The following building shall be added:
DISRAELI ROAD
TQ 27 NW
(south side)
1207-/1/10021 Newnes Public Library
II
Public library, 1899 by Francis J Smith at the expense of Sir George Newnes. Red brick with
extensive stone dressings. Roof not visible. Three bays, three storeys. Dwarf wall with four stone
piers to front. Arched entrance within Ionic stone porch, bearing balcony inscribed in raised
lettering 'NEWNES PUBLIC LIBRARY'. Central arched eight-light window with stone mullions
and transoms; four-light window in right-hand bay. First floor has bowed six-light mullioned
window in centre, between blocked Ionic pilasters, above solid balustrade carved with the borough
arms and motto against an oak leaf background. Six-light mullioned windows on each side. Second
floor has a bowed balustrade in front of central two-light windows set between three projecting
Ionic pilasters. Four-light mullioned windows on each side. String courses at sill and transom levels,
entablatures at first and second floor and attic levels. Brick parapet with stone finials above
projecting strips between windows and on corners. Central frontispiece culminates in tall,
segmental pediment, enclosing date cartouche. Obelisk finial above centre. Chimney stacks of
banded brick and stone.
Interior. Double entrance doors lead via vestibule lined with plaques to long corridor with vaulted
domed plaster roof. Reading room at end with open timber truss roof of six bays with dormers.
Linking corridor leads to 1977 lending library of no interest.
Included as a very good example of a Norman Shaw-inspired library building in an eclectic
Jacobean style, with an unusually lavish and intact interior. Now also houses the Wandsworth
Museum.
Listing NGR: TQ2403575146
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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