History

Dating from 1908, enlarged 1914. Architect not known. Edwardian Baroque (influence of Sir Edwin Lutyens).

Exterior

Portland stone with yellow brick facings. 3 storeys and basement, 5-bay symmetrical facades with emphasised end bays, banded rustication, curved corner treatment with Lutyens-inspired openwork dome. Concave balustraded parapet over convex entablature to giant Ionic pilasters, oculus in Baroque frame at 2nd floor; concave parapet over Doric entablature to arched corner entrance with swagged doorcase and lunette over. Open pediments to emphasised ends on Castle Square, keyblocked arches with carved tympana to 2nd floor windows linked vertically to heavily-framed 1st floor windows with sinuous balconies. Centre bays with panelled pilasters supporting main cornice with balustrading; 3-light windows with blocked columns to upper floor; cavetto splays to arched and keyblocked ground floor, aedicule treatment under oculus to left bay, Ionic doorpiece to right bay. Cross-frames with mostly small-pane glazing.

Simpler treatment to flank elevation with square-headed openings to upper floors, arched to ground floor.

Interior

Fine matching ground-floor interiors include circled vestibule with Ionic columns. Banking hall with coffered ceiling, central circular lantern, fluted Ionic columns, pilastered woodwork, panelled dados, pedimented doorcases etc. Modern bandit screens.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17743663

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6