ENN111343 - 152-154 Watling Street, 2021 (Building recording)

The former Conservative Club is a collection of four buildings that represent a sequence of construction stretching back to the late 18th century. The oldest of the four is Building 1, an example of a classic Georgian street frontage in red brick Flemish bond, dating to 1779. It was a private residence for approximately the first century of its existence and may have had a rear service wing that was subsequently demolished, although this could have belonged to the neighbouring building. Building 2 was constructed to the south in the mid-late 19th century. Building 3 also dates to the late 1800s and the extensions to the rear of Buildings 1 and 3 were added very shortly afterwards. Building 4 is the most modern addition to the property. Significant alterations have clearly been made to the frontage of Building 2, specifically the conversion of the ground floor arch entrance to modern double doors and a flat front door. This may once have led to the rear yard but must have only existed for a short time before the construction of Building 3. The Conservative Club is recorded as being on the present site in 1901 and its subsequent development has resulted in the reconfiguration of the floor plans of Buildings 1-3 and the construction of Building 4. The original layout of Building 1 remains relatively clear despite the loss of internal walls and features, although this is less the case in Buildings 2 and 3.