Champlain College

Terraced two-bay four-storey former house over basement, built c. 1830, as one of pair with No. 44, having three-storey return to rear (west) elevation. Now in use as college. M-profile pitched roof, hipped to south, hidden behind granite parapet having carved granite cornice. Brick chimneystacks with clay pots. Brown brick, laid in Flemish bond, to walls, cut masonry plinth course over rendered walls to basement. Square-headed window openings having raised render reveals and masonry sills. Mixed three-over-three pane and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows, cast-iron balconettes to first and second floors. Round-headed door opening with moulded render surround, carved stone doorcase comprising Ionic columns and entablature, leaded fanlight, and timber panelled door. Nosed granite steps having cast-iron boot-scrape to platform. Cast-iron railings having spear-head finials and decorative collars on carved masonry plinth wall.

Part of a uniform terrace, this building maintains the parapet height and fenestration alignment of its neighbours, creating a sense of continuity which makes a pleasing contribution to the streetscape. It is articulated by cut granite detailing and enhanced by the retention of salient features, notably an elegant Greek Revival doorcase. Cast-ironwork lends an artistic quality to the classically restrained facade. The composition as a whole projects an air of grandeur. The road leading from St. Stephen's Green to Donnybrook was originally called Suesey Street. It was renamed Leeson Street in 1728 to commemorate the Leeson brewing family, who were responsible for significant development in the area. Some early Georgian houses remain but construction predominantly dates from the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries.