Appraisal

No. 1, Short’s Gardens

A four-storey, two bay grade II listed house which retains its original scale and plan form, including corner chimneys in the rear rooms. However, it was substantially reconstructed, a storey added and a shopfront installed in the early-19^th century.

There are two subdivided sash windows at first second and third floor levels – 6-over-6 sashes at first and second floor levels, 3-over-3 sashes at third floor level. The present shopfront dates from the early-19^th century, with a subdivided window, a flush beaded 4-panel door to the upper floors but with the fascia boxed out below the cornice. The original wooden shutters survive - a rare instance.

The Suffolk (silver-grey) brickwork of the upper storeys has been cleaned and lightly 'soot-washed' to hide the patching of the brickwork. There is an odd balconied terrace at roof level. When restored in the late-1970s by David Bieda, the front area was opened up and protected with curving steel bars and is the only remaining example in Seven Dials. Front areas were often used for pavement trading in previous centuries.

A building of special architectural and historic interest and of particular townscape value contributing positively to the character, appearance and significance of the Seven Dials Conservation Area.

The appearance of the property could be enhanced by the provision of two planting boxes on the lead-covered ledge above the shopfront.