house

Terraced two-bay four-storey over basement former house, built c. 1835, as one of pair with No. 46, having three-storey return to rear (west) elevation. Now in use as college. M-profile pitched roof, hipped to north, hidden behind granite parapet with carved cornice. Brick chimneystacks with clay pots. Brown brick, laid in Flemish bond, to walls to front (east) elevation, cut masonry plinth course over rendered walls to basement. Square-headed window openings having raised render reveals, granite sills and replacement windows. Round-headed door opening with moulded render surround, carved stone doorcase comprising Ionic columns and entablature, leaded fanlight, 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 granite plinth wall.

Part of a uniform terrace, this building maintains the parapet height and fenestration alignment of its neighbours, creating a sense of uniformity which makes a pleasing contribution to the streetscape. Salient features, notably a fine Ionic doorcase and fanlight enhance the facade. Despite some alterations, the composition contributes to the air of grandeur projected by the terrace as a whole. 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.