NHER 60732 (Monument record) - Site of the Two Bears Hotel

January 2014. Historic Building Recording.
Record made of the Two Bears Hotel prior to its demolition in 2014.
The large, Edwardian hotel had been rebuilt in 1910 as part of a scheme to widen Mill Road. It had previously been rebuilt when its site on the opposite side of the road was required for Southtown Railway station.
The building in its final form faced south east and fronted what was then called 'Bridge Road'. It was in a substantial 'U' plan, built of brick laid in flemish bond with slate roofs and with a later addition between the northern wings. The main southern façade was of three sections separated by rusticated stone quoins. The eastern side had a full height canted bay. The ground floor windows were set in pairs within artificial stones surrounds and sills with egg and dart cornices. At the centre was a deep arched open porch with two Ionic columns and two engaged columns suporting the arch. The centre bay had a heavily dentilled pediment over a moulded cornice on which stood two ornamental bears of artificial stone. Within the tympanum was the date 1910 on a raised oval boss.
See report (S1) for further architectural appraisal including details of other elevations and interior.
A. Yardy (HES), 05 May 2015.