Conservation Area (CA)
North Laine CA
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0076
Description
Built around 1870 as the headquarters of the Royal Artillery Volunteers, who had moved from Church Street. The building is located on the site of the former Eagle Iron Foundry. It is first identified on historic OS maps as an ‘artillery depot’, but then as a drill hall. It was used by the military until 1949 (lastly as a TA centre), before being a newsagents’ warehouse. It has now been converted to flats. There are three parts to the Gloucester Road frontage; all of red brick, the central part is castellated, whilst the outer parts have a striking projecting brick eaves cornice. The left portion appears to be of a much later date, and is of poorer quality design and detailing. Source: Collis 2010
A. Architectural, design and artistic interest
ii. A good example of a Victorian drill hall, being one of two in the North Laine.
B. Historical and Evidential Interest
ii. Illustrates the connections between the North Laine and the military.
C. Townscape interest
i. Contributes to the North Laine conservation area, but is not typical of its character. It illustrates the varied types of buildings that developed in the North Laine, which is now predominantly residential and retail. The unusual castellated parapet and decorative eaves cornice add particular character and interest to the building in the streetscene.
E. Rarity and representativeness
ii. Representative of the military presence in the North Laine, and the development of volunteer corps in the mid to late 19 th century.
Date of Inclusion
2015
