Summary
Formerly a dwelling, this building is now offices and a retail space linked with 8 and 10 Westgate Street (both listed at Grade II) as part of an integrated block of office suites. It dates from the mid- to late C18 with an earlier, possibly C16, structure located in the rear wing which was altered in the early C18. There have been other alterations in the C19, C20 and C21.
Reasons for Designation
6 Westgate Street, a C18 building that incorporates part of a C16 structure in the rear wing, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* its 'Tudor Room' retains elaborate and high-quality C16 oak panelling which is significant in the context of Renaissance-inspired English interiors of this period;
* for the survival of a good proportion of C18 fittings such as fireplaces and staircase.
Historic interest:
* the rear wing is believed to have been part of the C16 mansion leased to Thomas Payne who was Sheriff, and later Mayor, of Gloucester.
History
6 and 8 Westgate Street are the site of Thomas Payne's mansion where tradition states that he entertained Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1535. The panelling now in the Tudor Room may have been made for this occasion. At the time Thomas Payne was host to the King and Queen, he was not yet Mayor but the Sheriff and Alderman according to the History of Parliament Online (see Sources). Payne became Mayor of Gloucester in 1540 when the city received the King's Charter. 6 Westgate Street is of principal note for the outstanding quality and interest of the Tudor Room, within the context of Renaissance-inspired English interiors of the period.
Details
Formerly a dwelling, this building is now offices and a retail space linked with 8 and 10 Westgate Street (both listed at Grade II) as part of an integrated block of office suites. It dates from the mid- to late C18 with an earlier, possibly C16, structure located in the rear wing which was altered in the early C18. There have been other alterations in the C19, C20 and C21.
MATERIALS: the principal elevation is of brick. The building has a slate roof, including large slates of an early type, with flat-roofed dormers.
PLAN: a double-depth front block with the upper floors of the rear wing partly separated from the main block by a lightwell.
EXTERIOR: the building stands three storeys high and has an attic. The principal elevation on the ground floor was remodelled in the C20 as part of the adjacent shopfront, it has a large C20 window framed by stone pilasters. An entablature continues across from number 8 Westgate Street to the left. The upper floors are in dark red brick and have two six-over-six timber-framed sash windows with glazing bars on each floor in openings with rubbed brick flat arches set with raised keystones. The crowning parapet has a stone capping. There are two attic dormers, each with a pair of plain casement windows. The exposed west side of the rear wing is painted white. On the first floor to the rear, there are three early-C18 sash windows with thick glazing bars comprising nine-over-nine panes, and on the second floor, C19 sashes with central vertical glazing bars.
INTERIOR: the building is noted for its ‘Tudor Room’ in the wing on the first floor, which is entered from a lobby off the main staircase in number 8 Westgate Street. In 1895, the C16 panelling in the room was restored and re-ordered, with additional panelling brought in by GA Howitt. In the west wall, the window embrasures have early-C18 fielded panel shutters, and on the other three walls, there is C16 panelling incorporating zones of linenfold panels framed by barley sugar shafts. In the north end wall is a fireplace with a moulded surround and a frieze of linenfold panels above; some panels have been carved with heraldic devices, including the arms of Henry VIII, the pomegranate of Catherine of Aragon, and the monogram ‘TP’ for Thomas Payne, Sheriff of Gloucester. There are also panels carved in relief with heads in profile. Beyond the doorway, to the right of the fireplace, there is a stair turret at the rear of the wing that contains a rebuilt, early-C18 staircase. The square newels have barley sugar half-balusters attached; the other balusters have been removed and were apparently reused by Howitt to frame some of the linenfold panels in the Tudor Room.
