27–31 Northgate Street, Chester

The building at 27–31 Northgate Street in Chester is a captivating mix of architectural styles and purposes, housing shops, offices, and a public house. Its dual-facing structure—one side overlooking Northgate Street, the other gazing out onto Town Hall Square—adds to its urban prominence.

The public house, likely originating in the early 19th century, anchors the building's historical roots. The rest of the structure was given a striking new frontage in 1902, courtesy of renowned architect John Douglas. The building rises to three stories, complemented by a small attic and cellars, offering a layered complexity characteristic of Chester’s historic streetscape.

The ground level features a charming three-bay arcade, its columns adorned with carved capitals. Above the capitals, niches hold intricately carved figures, adding a touch of Elizabethan theatricality. Musicians in period costumes grace the niches facing the street, while corner figures hold scrolls, visually linking the two facades.

The middle story is notable for its jettied design, a hallmark of traditional timber-framed buildings. Highlights include a two-light mullioned and transomed casement window at number 29 and a more elaborate four-light oriel window at number 31. A painted effigy of Edward VII, rendered in half-size, occupies a corner position, lending regal charm to the building’s ensemble.

The upper level is a testament to architectural intricacy. Number 27 features a simple two-light casement window. Number 28, however, boasts a jettied, gabled attic with a five-light casement window topped by a carved finial. Number 31 adds its flourish with a four-light casement window, a gabled attic with a shaped bargeboard, and another finely detailed finial. Rising above the gable, a flèche crowned with a gilt weather vane completes the decorative skyline.

27–31 Northgate Street exemplifies the fusion of historical elements and architectural innovation, showcasing the skill of John Douglas in marrying 19th-century practicality with the ornamentation of earlier periods. The building remains a cherished piece of Chester's urban fabric, its rich details inviting admiration from both locals and visitors.