No. 76, Neal Street
A substantially scaled, four-storey inter-War building in a mild Art Deco style, with a further, recessed storey at fourth floor level, faced in cream faience with fluted decoration in blue faience between the wide, three-part windows at first, second and third floor levels, and blue faience cornice, fascia and pilasters around the shopfront at ground floor level.
Sadly, the original Crittall windows of the upper floors have been replaced with UPVC casements and the original, metal-framed shopfront adversely altered and painted. The original fascia has been obscured by the addition of an internally-illuminated fascia box sign, together with a projecting, internally illuminated box sign.
Whilst significantly taller than the listed no. 78, immediately adjacent, the building is of some architectural interest and townscape value, contributing to the character, appearance and significance of the character, appearance and significance of the Seven Dials Conservation Area.
Ideally, the original pattern of painted steel Crittall windows should be restored and the red and black plastic fascia of the shopfront and projecting box sign removed. The front door to the upper floors would also benefit from a more sensitive design. Altogether this is a demonstration of how a building of some character can be spoilt by small, successive incongruous alterations.
76 Neal Street
76 Neal Street (1978). Courtesy London Metropolitan Archives.
76 Neal Street, upper floors (1974). Courtesy London Metropolitan Archives.
76-78a Neal Street (1956). Courtesy London Metropolitan Archives.
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