NHER 26247 (Building record) - 27 to 30 Gentleman's Walk

Nos 27 to 30 Gentleman's Walk.

1954. Listed Grade II*.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Shops, probably originally houses. Circa 1700 with 17th-century rear block. Rendered. Concrete and pantiles. Corner site. Three storeys. Nine bays with central three projecting. 19th-century corner shop front and two 20th-century shopfronts. Sash windows throughout with glazing bars, except in four first floor windows."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 November 2017. Amended by P. Beers (HES), 17 March 2020.

January 1981. Building Survey.
Examined as part of Norwich Survey.
Large three-storey block with additional two storey gable. Ground and first floor gutted for shop, though original stair rearranged within former stairwell, at the top of which is a pulley. The roof of the street range appears to be single butt purlin of early 18th-century date. The small dormers appear to be original.

Running back from No 27 is a tall narrow, three-storey range, with the second floor jettied over a tiny yard to the north. North wall completely stuccoed and not possible to ascertain nature of structure. The south wall contains a number of mutilated vertical strips, possibly in brick, which may once have been a decorative system of pilasters. This block appears to date to the late 17th century, although there is little dating evidence to go on. The roof appears to have been curtailed by the erection of the present front block.
See record forms (S2) for further details and copy of photograph of block to rear of No 28.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 November 2017.

The earlier block to the rear of No 27 is amongst those noted in thesis (S3), which considers the 13th- to 17th-century buildings of Norwich. It is described as follows:
Three storeyed, 17th-century building ranged at right-angles to the street, behind an early 18th century street range. Flint rubble walls, although the south facing elevation was either completely faced in brick and/or had projecting brick window surrounds. Interior changed for 20th century use. Roof survives. Four bays with elbowed braces from wall to principal rafters. The central truss has raised cruck rafters (the only example of this type of truss known in the city). This roof is illustrated, as is the butt-purlin roof with curved knee-brace identified in the rear range of No 28 Gentleman's Walk.

It is noted that the 18th century street range has a good rusticated plasterwork façade above modern shop fronts, and a fine example of an open well stair complete with a pulley in the attic.

The undercroft at 27 Gentleman's Walk (which originally extended to the street line) is described as follows:
Two bays, each with single-order diagonal ribs. Beyond these there is a single chamber with pointed barrel-vault. The lateral rib nearest to the street is chamfered on both sides, showing that the undercroft was constructed with at least one other bay. Positioned at right angles to the street line.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 November 2017.