THE GUILDHALL
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1104316
- Date first listed:
- 25-Sep-1972
- Statutory Address:
- THE GUILDHALL, GUILDHALL SQUARE
Map
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Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE GUILDHALL, GUILDHALL SQUARE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- City of Portsmouth (Unitary Authority)
- National Grid Reference:
- SU 64028 00177
Details
PORTSMOUTH
SU6400SW GUILDHALL SQUARE, Landport
774-1/21/264 The Guildhall
25/09/72
II
Guildhall. 1886-90. By William Hill of Leeds, reconstructed
after Second World War bomb damage 1955-59. Ashlar stone. Flat
lead roofs. Massive Italianate Classical style.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, high basement and attic. 17 bays. (End
bays and each of the 2 bays flanking centre are blind). At
centre is a giant hexastyle Corinthian portico, entablature
with modillioned cornice and pediment with sculptured tympanum
crowned with statue of Neptune set on acroterion, ante-fixae
at each side with surmounted sculptured figure. Flanking
portico is a pedestal, each with couchant lion. Grand splayed
central staircase rising 32 steps to column bases then 5 steps
approach main entrance. Large 2-leaf door, each leaf with 10
moulded panels set under stone frieze, wide flanking Doric
pilasters each with sculptured shaft, frieze and cornice. Over
on first floor is a round-headed casement, recessed behind
balustrade, with leaded lights set under round stone arch with
similar flanking Doric pilasters.
On left and right of entrance is a projecting wing, each
flanked by a giant Corinthian pilaster, and each face has an
incised panel with floating frieze and cornice. At roof level
on each side of the portico is a cupola with, on each face, a
round-arched opening with keystone and moulded imposts,
flanking Ionic pilasters, entablature with dentilled cornice,
stone dome with swept top. At centre and to rear of cupolas is
a 3-tier tower with horizontal rusticated base, cornice with
swag below. Middle bell stage has on each side a round-arched
opening with curved reveals set behind a balustrade, moulded
round stone arch, keystone and moulded imposts; paired
Corinthian pilasters at each corner, entablature with
modillioned cornice. Top stage has balustrade with corner open
columned turrets, clock face on each side with pediment,
parapet with recessed corners crowned by mid-C20 flat topped
octagonal storey (replacing the original dome and cupola).
On the left and right of the portico is a horizontal
rusticated high basement each with two 8-panelled 2-leaf doors
with 12-pane overlight and two 24-pane metal casements each
set under heavy moulded cornice. Giant Corinthian columns
tetrastyle in antis running through ground and first floors,
entablature with modillioned cornice, balustraded parapet. To
facade behind columns are 5 metal casements running integral
through ground and first floors; each casement has 2 square
panes top and bottom and 2 long centre panes. At each end is a
blind projecting bay with giant Corinthian clasping pilasters,
each face with an incised panel and floating frieze and
cornice. At roof level recessed behind each corner is a mid
C20 square structure (replacing the original cupola).
To left and right return each facade 13 bays wide is similar
except that the first floor casements are each set under a
round arch and central 7 bays project with giant Corinthian
columns.
The INTERIOR and rear elevation were completely rebuilt mid
C20.
(Balfour A: Portsmouth: Highgate Hill, London: 1970-: 59, 60;
Lloyd DW: Buildings of Portsmouth and its Environs:
Portsmouth: 1974-: 106; The Buildings of England: Pevsner N &
Lloyd DW: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: Harmondsworth:
1967-: 445).
Listing NGR: SU6402800165
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 474683
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Balfour, A, Portsmouth, (1970), 59,60
Lloyd, D W , Buildings of Portsmouth and its Environs, (1974), 106
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, (1967), 445
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official listing