The Tholsel — West Street

Attached three-bay (four-bay deep) two-storey over basement tholsel, built 1765-70, on a rectangular plan centred on single-bay two-storey pedimented breakfront below domed-topped single-bay three-stage campanile on a square plan. Adapted to alternative use, 1861. Vacated, 1890. Adapted to alternative use, 1891. Hipped slate roofs behind parapet with clay ridge tiles, and concealed rainwater goods with pot bellied hoppers and downpipes. Drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar walls (ground floor) on benchmark-inscribed dragged limestone ashlar plinth with ogee-detailed cornice; dragged limestone ashlar walls (first floor) with ogee-detailed cornice below parapet centred on ogee-detailed pediment (breakfront). Segmental-headed central door in segmental-headed recess opening approached by flight of four bull nose-detailed cut-granite steps, drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar voussoirs centred on drag edged dragged cut-limestone keystone framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed central window opening (first floor) with ogee-detailed cut-limestone sill on balustraded riser, dragged cut-limestone architrave with pilasters supporting ogee-detailed segmental pediment on fluted scroll consoles, and dragged cut-limestone surround framing two-over-two timber sash window. Segmental-headed window openings in segmental-headed recesses (ground floor) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar voussoirs centred on drag edged dragged cut-limestone keystones framing fixed-pane timber windows having casement overlights. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with ogee-detailed cut-limestone sill course on risers, and dragged cut-limestone surrounds with ogee-detailed pediments on pulvinated friezes framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central vestibule retaining encaustic tiled floor, and decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on decorative plasterwork ceiling rose; square-headed door opening into inner lobby with Classical-style surround framing timber panelled double doors having monogram-detailed overpanel ("HBI"); segmental-headed door opening into banking hall with Classical-style surround framing glazed timber double doors having overlight; banking hall retaining encaustic tiled floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors with carved timber Classical-style surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled splayed reveals, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling. Street fronted on a corner site with footpath to front.