Public Library (Former Corn Exchange) to Rear of High Street, the Corn Exchange the Corn Exchange
PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE, NORTHGATE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1086474
- Date first listed:
- 23-Aug-1974
- List Entry Name:
- Public Library (Former Corn Exchange) to Rear of High Street, the Corn Exchange the Corn Exchange
- Statutory Address:
- PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE, NORTHGATE
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2004-02-09
- Reference:
- IOE01/11798/02
- Rights:
- © Mr M.K Lofthouse. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1086474
- Date first listed:
- 23-Aug-1974
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 02-Dec-1991
- List Entry Name:
- Public Library (Former Corn Exchange) to Rear of High Street, the Corn Exchange the Corn Exchange
- Statutory Address 1:
- PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE, NORTHGATE
- Statutory Address 2:
- THE CORN EXCHANGE, HIGH STREET
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE, NORTHGATE
- Statutory Address:
- THE CORN EXCHANGE, HIGH STREET
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Medway (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 74321 68655
Details
ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/114 The Corn Exchange 23.8.74 GV I Former Corn Exchange. High Street facade built in 1706 'at sole charge of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Knight' MP for Rochester. Range behind rebuilt in C19. Replacement Exchange erected to rear facing Northgate in 1870 by Flockton and Abbot. High Street facade: red brick with rusticated quoins; Kent tile roof. 2 storeys. Symmetrical 4-window range. Large pediment with modillions, containing blind oculus with rich stucco frame, the unbroken cornice returning to either side. 4 tall, narrow windows to 1st floor with later glazing bars, panelled aprons and projecting moulded blocks above keystones, dated 1706. Central doorway with elaborate surround: swan-neck pediment on a pulvinated frieze with carved end console brackets enclosing a moulded round-headed arch with carved spandrels on moulded pilasters and imposts. Fanlight with glazing bars; panelled double doors with fixed side panels. Above the entrance a cartouche with lettering. At cornice level a moulded beam on carved bracket supports a large clock projecting over the street. Moulded plinth. On the roof ridge a plain polygonal cupola containing a single bell. The work of Shovell was never more than a facade. Fragments of an earlier building survive behind. Northgate range with exchange room to 1st floor, now with library below. Masively scaled; brown brick with buff brick dressings; hipped Welsh slate roof; continuous dentilled cornice. Rectangular block, 3 x 5 bays; 3 storeys, the 1st storey taller than the others to accommodate the principal room. Front (to Northgate): regular fenestration to upper floors; 3 round-headed windows to 2nd floor with original glazing bars; 3 tall square- headed recessed windows to 1st floor with altered glazing bars: the brick string courses at sill level rise to frame these windows which are set centrally and close together. Ground-floor openings under depressed arches with keyblocks now with 2 panelled double doors and 2 sash windows with glazing bars. 2- storey annex to left with paired sash windows with margin panes to 1st floor and ground floor openings as to main block. Left and right margins with 6 2nd floor windows as front; 3 lateral stacks with moulded caps.
Listing NGR: TQ7432968662
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 173044
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 06-Jun-2026 at 01:30:58.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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