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Photos 2009 by Robert Clark, survey 2012 by Clive Wood, edited 2023 KC
Architecture - High Street
Architectural Survey by Clive Wood 2012


with photographs by Robert Clark 2009

[For 2009 survey of Businesses]
Note: There had been changes between the two surveys and several further changes
in the decade since this survey.

Part 4

From Queen Street junction to the Church

89-91
Block of two shops, first floor topped with three gable like structures topped with copings, the windows of three and four lights topped with a semi-circular lunette, the whole framed with red brickwork, similar brickwork at each end and decorative diamonds in each 'gable', flat roof. Below fascia new shop fronts with some thought.

87
A single storey, conversion from original house.

85
A new development, two storey, flat roof, really on its own.

83
A single unit office development, windows first floor semi-circular tops, first floor White Brick, second floor Red Brick topped with a small Gable with circular window, an attempt to 'fit in' with the street, modern building society/bank below fascia level.
81
A single storey infill Arcade totally at odds with its neighbour.



75-79
The second iconic building, a huge late Victorian corner block, now a bank but built as the General Post Office, at ground level coursed stone blocks, corner doorway with shell porch, first and second floors red brickwork divided by stone pillars with Ionic capitals under a deep cornice and topped by stone foliated urns. The corner in stone to roof incorporating a clock in stone framework with foliated swags and drops. Above fascia level all sash windows original.



College Street

73
Corner property, Public House 'Rose & Crown', two bays wide, two gables to the street, window stone all painted white, original bay window at ground level but modern glazing.

65-71
A block of three properties (the earliest shop development in the street) at first floor level, red brick with pilasters, stone capitals and decoration topped with deep cornice and brackets and brick parapet incorporating a small pediment with stone framed oval window.
At first floor level bay windows each end with recessed balcony with stone balustrading, small round topped windows with stone keystones.

57-65
Four Properties built on the site of Caves Factory, number being rather plain with brick parapet relieved by lighter coloured brick panel, built with large Gable like end sitting on deep cornices at roof level, three windows at first floor level, contrasting brick voussoirs, centre one topped with semi-circle of contrasting brickwork.

59
No variation of the previous premises, again large gable like structure at roof level, red brick with stone copings, ornamental date stone, three windows, centre one a recessed bay window, all original, blue slate roof, red ridge tiles, brick chimney stack.

57
Two units, infill single storey, no architectural detail.
49-55
Four units, converted dwelling houses, two storey, blue slate roofs, red brick chimney stack and two pots.
47
Infill single storey, no architectural detail.
45
Infill single storey.

43
The third iconic building, again a bank with all the self confidence of the Victorian/Edwardian era. Large three storey, stone with many architectural details at every level, returning walls of red brick rising to huge chimney stacks at each end of the building. Again a building which one assumes will always remain.

41
A single unit, two storey, a dwelling house conversion.

37-39
A block of two units, three storey, rising to two pairs of dormer windows, at first floor level two large bay windows, now a Bank.

35
A large block of three units, three stories high, three Dormer windows on the roof, red brickwork, cream brickwork panels as decoration and soffit, framing three windows on first floor level, stone lintels and windows sills.

31
A one off structure, supposedly in the 'Swiss Style', a two storey building with applied decoration now discreetly decorated in White and Cream, three windows on first floor' modern plastic.

29
A large block of two units, three stories high, first and second floors, red brick, white string courses, two large windows, one a bay, second floor dormer type windows, curved tops with white 'Key Stones' and sills topped with 'Gable like’ structures of red brick and white stone. Decorative glazing maintained. Beneath fascia modern shop frontage.

21-27
A number of small units, all two storey but with a variety of details, a very attractive Cupola type structure for no apparent purpose with a pretty lead roof. Two attractive bay windows with attractive tops. Pitched roof with truncated chimney stack.

17-19
Another large three storey block of two units, red brick, two stone string courses, at first floor two bay windows, poor replacements, second floor contrasting brick semi circular topped panels with stone decoration, framing two single light windows, the top finished with two Gable like pediments edged with Blue brick. Fascias far higher than its neighbours.

Two two-storey buildings complete the High Street, one with attractive shape and one that has some attractive lead lights above the shop windows.






1-11
Modern build where a run of properties stood, known as Church Parade, part of High Street.
[now subdivided]




Facing St Mary's Church.


It is rather difficult to make a clear record of a street as complex as Rushden High Street. It must have had alterations every few years since the 1880's and the result is a complex variety of buildings however it is still felt that it retains its Edwardian appearance in a large proportion of its buildings. CW

Voussoir : a wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct an arch.



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