Appraisal

Nos. 31-33, Shelton Street

Nos. 31-33 comprises a five-storey, mid/late-19^th century, former brewery building of six bays with segmentally-arched openings at all levels containing modern, subdivided, painted metal casements. Inward-opening doors and drop-down flaps survive at first, third, fourth and fifth floor levels in one deep-set, full-height recess with black bull-nose brick jambs, together with a folding crane at high level. A strongly expressed cornice runs along the length of the building above the third floor level window-openings.

The north-eastern end of the group fronting Neal Street terminates in a short return-elevation, three bays in width with a large, pedimented opening at the centre providing access into the shop within. Regrettably, much of the stonework of the portico is painted turquoise.

The building forms an integral part of a group of buildings of special architectural and historic interest and is of townscape value contributing to the character, appearance and significance of the Seven Dials Conservation Area.

Alterations over recent years, when the buildings were converted into warehouses after the brewery moved and later, have resulted in a somewhat uneven appearance to parts of the brickwork which could be improved if the lighter parts were to be toned down to match the older brick. It might also be worth exploring the practicability of restoring the high-level, iron bridges linking the blocks on both sides of the street; their appearance is recorded in old engravings.