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| English Heritage Reference: | 425735 |
|---|---|
| RBKC Reference: | 31/103 |
| Property: | KENSINGTON FIRE STATION |
| Street: | OLD COURT PLACE , W8 |
| Date: | 27/03/1991 |
| Grade: | II |
| Grouped: | |
| Description: | Fire station. 1903-4 by H F T Cooper of the Fire Brigade Branch of the London County Council Architect's Section. Portland stone front, chanelled at lower ground floor, with red brick returns and rear building; Westmorland slate roof with tall slab stacks. Unusual plan of 3-bay engine house, the outer bays single storey but central bay rising to 3 storeys; all extend back to 5 storey accommodation block with slightly projecting central bay. Edwardian baroque style. Engine house has central segmental arched entrance with rusticated voussoirs, keystone with coat of arms. Upper floors with rusticated quoins and central projecting bay through 2 storeys, each with recessed sash; projecting angles of bay with rusticated quoins and coved returns; projecting sill to first floor with heavy brackets. Cornice-breaks into segmental arch above top window; blocking course follows shape of bay. Flanking ground floor bays each with square-headed entrance having. rusticated voussoirs and keystone; balustraded parapets. Engine entrances with part-glazed timber doors. Each return of central bay upper storeys with an oculus where the stone returns for a few feet and then a continuous strip of casements with glazing bars beneath the cornice and brick blocking course. Rear accommodation block has slightly recessed sashes, those to outer bays narrower with gauged brick heads and projecting stucco keystones. Stone projecting bracketed cornice; blocking course. Dedication stone to left of central entrance dated 21 July 1904. Interior of engine house has cast iron columns supporting upper floors. The station was one of the first to incorporate a sliding pole for firemen, a feature copied from American fire-fighting practice. The elegance of the area and proximity to Kensington Palace were almost certainly the reason for the station's front being, unusually of stone. |
| English Heritage Picture: | External Hyperlink to English Heritage photograph of this listed building |
