24-30, BERRY STREET (INCLUDES 87 SEEL STREET)

Reasons for Designation

Yes List

Details

392/0/10230

BERRY STREET (INCLUDES 87 SEEL STREET)
Nos. 24-30

21-JUL-04

II

A range of 3 shops, formerly one of a pair of crosswings of a residential and commercial complex known as 'Warmsley's Yard. c.1798-1803, with later C19 and C20 alterations. By John Warmsley,(c.1765-1812) architect and builder. Painted stucco on brick, with ashlar sandstone dressings, brick ridge stacks and hipped roof with Welsh slate covering.

PLAN: L-shaped plan, the main frontage to Berry Street with a short return range to Seel Street.

EXTERIOR: Berry Street elevation of 3 storeys, 5 bays, the central 3 bays set beneath a wide, shallow pediment. These bays were originally delineated by pairs of pilasters to the upper floor levels, with 3 now surviving, the inner left-hand pilaster having been removed. The ground floor is now occupied by 3 C20 shop frontages. The south end bay has blocked first and smaller second floor window openings of original dimensions. The north end bay has 2 windows to each of the upper floor with C20 joinery. The centre 3 bay part has remodelled openings to the centre and the left, whilst the right-hand part retains a moulded stone surround and cornice set below a swagged patera. 3 bay return to Seel Street with remodelled ground floor, but retaining original pattern of openings to upper floor, including the upper level of a 2-storey semi-circular bay window with eaves cornice.

INTERIOR: Not inspected.

HISTORY: The building was originally part of a complex of residential and commercial buildings developed by John Warmsley. This was an extensive U-shaped ensemble, the central range of which was set to the rear of an open quadrangle used for commercial purposes. This complex was completed by 1803, when it is shown on Horwood's map of that year, and is thought to have included ancillary dwelling ranges on Seel Street and Wood Street, of which the former, nos. 79-83 (q.v.) survive. The central range was demolished after Warmsley's death in 1812, and its site, and that of the quadrangle were re-developed later in the C19 with the present buildings.
Forms part of a group with the attached 79-83 Seel Street (q v.) and its almost identical twin range at nos. 8-14 Berry Street (q.v.).

Nos 24-30 Berry Street is of both special architectural and historic interest as one of pair of a surviving elements of an extensive late C18 residential and commercial complex designed by a notable Liverpool architect and builder. Like the merchant's housing with attached warehousing in the Lower Duke Street area, it is indicative of the economic and entrepreneurial vitality of Liverpool in the late C18, and of the architectural identity of the city at this time. Despite alteration, this building and the other surviving element at nos.8-14 Berry Street (q.v.)are significant indicators of the C18th character of this area of central Liverpool, and contribute to the settings of other historic buildings within the conservation area of which they are prominent components.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

491254

Legacy System:

LBS

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