HISTORIC BUILDING REPORT: No. 7, Old Palace Yard, WESTMINSTER, LONDON W1
Author(s): Joanna Smith
This pair of houses was built in 1754-6 by the Office of Works as the official accommodation of the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Clerk Assistant. The designer is unknown, although it has been variously attributed to Isaac Ware and John Vardy. It has three storeys with basements and attics. A range to the south was demolished in the 20th century. The principal elevation, a unified Palladian composition in Portland stone, has a pedimented entrance bay, rusticated to the ground floor. The other elevations are of stock brick, rendered on the east side. It was apparently built with a symmetrical plan to the ground floor, interlocking to the basement and upper floors. The western house retains much of its original layout and decoration but has undergone several phases of piecemeal alterations. The basement, ground and first floors of the eastern house were reordered and upgraded in the late 18th century under the direction of Sir John Soane. The Clerks presided over the Parliament Office, housed initially in the former Jewel Tower to the southwest. This was accessible internally, through the demolished south range, and by means of a vaulted ground floor passageway. Following the conversion of a house in Abingdon Street to the south in the late 18th century the passage was moved to the basement of the Clerk's house. From the late 19th century the houses have been occupied by various Government offices and have been converted into a single building. The building underwent a full refurbishment in 1994.
- Report Number:
- 75/1994
- Series:
- Other
- Pages:
- 34
- Keywords:
- Building Recording
