Convent of Mercy — Strand Road

Detached three-bay (two-bay deep) two-storey house, built 1830, on a rectangular plan; single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (south). Occupied, 1901. Sold, 1911. Extended, ----, producing present composition to accommodate continued alternative use. Refenestrated, ----. Hipped slate roof on an E-shaped plan centred on hipped slate roof (south), lichen-covered clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stacks on axis with ridge having corbelled stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Rendered, ruled and lined walls. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by two concrete steps, timber doorcase with panelled pilasters supporting shallow cornice, and concealed dressings having concave reveals framing replacement timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement uPVC casement windows replacing two-over-two timber sash (ground floor) or timber casement (first floor) windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining encaustic tiled floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; square-headed door opening into staircase hall with timber surround framing timber panelled double doors; staircase hall (south) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in turned timber newels, and carved timber surrounds to door openings to landings framing timber panelled doors; drawing room (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surround to window opening framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, chimneypiece, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; dining room (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, chimneypiece, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds with roughcast piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping.