Appraisal

Nos. 2-10 (even), Dryden Street

Nos. 2 to 10 (even), Dryden Street comprise a continuous, late-19^th century, London Stock brick-faced ‘terrace’ of business premises of three storeys and mansarded attic with dormers. It was very probably developed by R.B. Evered and Company, a Birmingham-based brass and iron founders, which also occupied the adjacent part of the street block, including nos. 30 to 35 (consec.), Drury Lane).

There is a somewhat irregular pattern of fenestration at first and second floor levels with 2-over-2, subdivided timber sashes below a moulded, brick top cornice, with a slate-hung mansard directly above with dormers. There are two Mercers’ Company Maiden's Head plaques located at high level and a neat hanging sign. At ground floor level, there are a series of altered ‘shopfronts’ contained between slender, correctly detailed Roman Doric pilasters supporting a continuous cornice and fascia, extending a similar treatment on the return elevation of no. 35, Drury Lane adjacent. Regrettably, the opening which provided the former vehicle entry into the site towards the south-western end of the ‘terrace’ has been filled with a roller-shutter. The painting of the ground floor storey in turquoise is unfortunate.

Despite of the altered ‘shopfronts’ at ground floor level, the ‘terrace’ is of architectural interest and townscape value and contributes positively to the character, appearance and significance of the Covent Garden Conservation Area.

Together with removal of the roller-shutter, there would be considerable benefit in the careful reinstatement of the altered ‘shopfronts’ contained within the surviving, late-19^th century framework of pilasters, cornice and fascia, and the provision of appropriate, traditional sign-written lettering on the fascia.