Royal Star and Garter Home

Details

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 2 June 2025 to amend the language used in the description

TQ 1873 and TQ 1973
25/70

RICHMOND HILL (south west side)
Royal Star and Garter Home

GV
II
Home and hospital for disabled servicemen, 1919-24 by Sir Edwin Cooper based on plan of 1915 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Red brick with stone dressings on steel frame with hipped pantile roofs, heavy modillion eaves cornice and symmetrically-spaced stacks. Figure of eight plan on steeply sloping site so that building is four storeys and attic to front elevation, and to rear six storeys with attic including one storey beneath projecting walled garden flanked by single storey wings.

Main elevations each have an additional storey hidden in roof. Front elevation of seven bays with central door having five bay return and seven bay side-wings set back and each ending in single bay pavilions, the wings and pavilions all behind projecting single storey nine bay screens. Centre and pavilions have paired Corinthian columns in antis forming aedicules to recessed fenestration - a typical Cooper motif. Garden front of twenty one bays between single bay pavilions in same style, the central paired columns rising above wreathed portrait medallion surmounted by crown. Doors lead onto terrace above projecting ground floor loggia of Roman Doric columns now glazed, that continues along right-angled wings for ten bays, the last with'recessed moulded entrance and paired columns in antis. Heavy cornice to loggia which has central door to paved garden with central bulb-shaped fountain surmounted by cherubs.

Seven bay side elevations, central bay with aediculed surround and balcony. All windows small-pane glazing bar sashes, those to first floor on entrance front (third floor on garden front) set in stone surrounds; pedimented dormers to all elevations.

Interior: modern doors lead to entrance hall with Ionic columns, coffered ceilings, marble walls and floors. To left apsed memorial alcove with stained glass by J Dudley Forsyth; to right staircase set in similar apse. Offices to front, ward for the especially handicapped to rear, leading onto terrace. Six lifts, and stairs, lead to lower ground floor containing dining room to right and recreation hall to left, with square columns forming aisle and coffered ceiling.

Hospital facilities to front. Mortuary chapel, in basement under walled garden reached via separate pylon doorway to side with winged figure wreathed in poppies on lintel, has tripartite interior separated by Doric columns set between pilasters, marble walls and floors, coffered ceilings, stained glass, star-shaped light fittings, dedicated to son of Viscountess Cowdray, whose bust it contains. Upper floors contain bed-sitting rooms and staff accommodation.

A revolutionary concept in provision for disabled people, allowing ex-servicemen to lead independent lives in a building carefully planned for their convenience that is also of high architectural quality with lavish original fittings.

Listing NGR: TQ1842473759

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

437830

Legacy System:

LBS

End of official list entry

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