FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE NUMBER 16 (EXCLUDING THE FORMER NUMBERS 13 AND 14/15)

FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE, 114, CHANCERY LANE WC2

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Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II*
List Entry Number:: 1251120
Date first listed:: 26-Jan-1970
List Entry Name:: FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE NUMBER 16 (EXCLUDING THE FORMER NUMBERS 13 AND 14/15)
Statutory Address:: FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE, 114, CHANCERY LANE WC2

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Date:: 2001-09-16
Reference:: IOE01/04280/19
Rights:: © Mr David Burns. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II*
List Entry Number:: 1251120
Date first listed:: 26-Jan-1970
Date of most recent amendment:: 04-Jan-1995
List Entry Name:: FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE NUMBER 16 (EXCLUDING THE FORMER NUMBERS 13 AND 14/15)
Statutory Address 1:: FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE, 114, CHANCERY LANE WC2
Statutory Address 2:: NUMBER 16 (EXCLUDING THE FORMER NUMBERS 13 AND 14/15), 16, BELL YARD

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: FORMER LAW FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE, 114, CHANCERY LANE WC2
Statutory Address:: NUMBER 16 (EXCLUDING THE FORMER NUMBERS 13 AND 14/15), 16, BELL YARD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: City of Westminster (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ 31116 81213

Details

TQ 3181 SW CHANCERY LANE WC2 (west side) 1900/7/63 No. 114 (former Law Insurance Office) (including No.16 BELL Yard) 26.1.70

GV II*

The former offices of the Law Fire Insurance Company. 1858-9 by Thomas Bellamy, extended to Bell Yard by him in 1874-6. Portland stone facades with brick internal walls, presumably incorporating some iron. Rectangular plan with two central lightwells. Three storeys and basement, with inserted mezzanine to ground-floor of No. 114. Rusticated and battered stone facade to Chancery Lane is three windows wide, with central engaged Doric portico, corniced first-floor windows in architraves, with band to set-back upper floor under heavy moulded cornice and parapet. Sash windows and double panelled door under top light. The original rear facade survives in part within the lightwell. It has three round-topped glazed arches, corniced first floor windows in architrave surrounds and a parapet topped by urns. The name 'RE INSURANCE OFFICE' survives. Present facade to Bell Yard also of three bays, the ground floor with enriched, round-arched windows, the doorway now disused. In spandrels motifs of a fireman's helmet and axes, between rosettes. Short return screens with pilasters rise each side to bracketed cornice under first floor. First floor windows have sashes with glazing bars under heavy console brackets and within moulded architraves. Second floor with architraved windows and rosettes under modillion eaves cornice.

The interior remains impressive. The ground-floor of No. 114 Chancery Lane has been subdivided; heavy cornices survive on the mezzanine. Fine stair with sinuous curving handrail and an iron balustrade of Ionic columns rises to the top. (Historic) first floor landing with screen of huge Ionic columns (whose bases appear on lower floors) and balustrade in antis between Ionic pilasters. Trabeated ceiling. Board room with fireplace, trebeated ceiling and modillion cornice. No. 16 Bell Yard with stair to side: a straight flight with curly iron balustrade rises to first floor, whilst to the upper floor the stair has timber balusters with heavy fluted newels.

Listing NGR: TQ3113381220

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 433741
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.