Appraisal

Nos 37 to 40 (consec.), Drury Lane

With no. 36, nos. 37-40 Drury Lane form a listed terrace built ca 1840. The whole comprises twelve bays extending south-eastwards towards Long Acre. The central three bays of no. 37 are emphasised by the modest breaking-forward of the elevation and by four pilasters rising through the first and second floors with Corinthian capitals.

The four-storey terrace is faced in Suffolk (light grey) brick, and comprises window openings at 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor levels (with painted stucco architraves at first and second floor levels – separated by pilasters at attic (3rd floor) level above the clearly expressed, painted stucco, modillion cornice. The sash-windows have 6-over-6 subdivision at 1st and 2nd floor levels (except for the three windows at first and second floor levels at no. 37 which have a 2-over-2 subdivision) 3-over-3 subdivision at 3rd floor level.

There is a good modern shopfront at no. 40, a modern, but traditionally detailed shopfront at no. 39 and a good traditional shopfront at nos. 37/38

The entire terrace is of special architectural interest and considerable townscape value and contributes positively to the character, appearance and significance of the Covent Garden Conservation Area.