NHER 418 (Building record) - Hardwick House, No 2 Agricultural Hall Plain

1970. Listed, Grade II.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Former bank converted into Post Office, now offices. 1866 by P.C. Hardwick with 20th-century alterations. Bath stone. Roof not visible. Corner site. Two storeys plus semi-basement in King Street. Elevation to Agricultural Hall Plain. Three bays with single-storey bay to each side."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current details.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 September 2017. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 8 November 2019.

1979.
Internal alterations only for Anglia TV.
Medieval and post-medieval material including fragments human skeletal remains. [1]
Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM).

July 2003. Building Survey.
Rusticated quoining and basement on the King Street elevation. The first three bays of the western elevation are covered by a modern annex on the ground floor. There is a rather ornate doorwayflanked by flutedpilasters topped with Corinthian capitals. Above this is a bayleaf garland, entablature and semi-circular pediment, all combining to form an aedicule. A balustrade runs across the top of the façade and incorporates two shields, each with the monogram 'ER' placed centrally over each wing. There are several chimneys that have been made into architectural features, such as a pair of chimneys connected to form an upside-down 'U' shape.
Internally, the ground floor retains moulded skirting and sash windows with moulded surrounds. The first floor room above the entrance hall has a classical wave design in a frieze in the style of 'Running dog' or Vitruvian scroll. The building was extended in 1902-4 to almost double its original size.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this survey are also noted in (S3).
H. White, (NLA), 14 September 2009

March 2005. Building Survey.
Update to historic building report due to conversion.
The removal of modern ceilings in the basement has revealed a vaulted ceilingwith decorative moulding. Features of the original banking hall could be seen due to the removal of the lobby ceiling, and plaster mouldings and original paintwork were observed. Former arches of arcading were also seen, and appear to be square headed. The removal of the ceiling in the western range revealed a series of five decorative cast iron trusses.
See report (S4) for further details.
H. White, (NLA), 14 September 2009.

December 2008.
Listed building consent sought to create a new 3-bedroom penthouse suite within the vacant roof space.
See Planning Supporting Statement (S5) for further details, including photographs and architectural drawings.
H. White, (NLA), 14 September 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 7 September 2017.

The bank only lasted for 4 years before the company crashed. The building stood for 5 years before the post office bought it in 1875. The post off stayed there until 1969 when the G.P.O. moved to new offices. The site was then converted to use as a television studio by Anglia television in 1975 and sold again for refurbishment as apartments in 2003.
See additional information in (S6).
W. Arnold (HES), 19 January 2011.