Building record 638/0/21 - No. 2 Sheaf Street (BBC)

Built in the 16th or 17th century, remodelled in an ornamental Gothic style. Stucco, low pitched roof behind crenellated parapet, octagonal angle turrets, moulded cornice, quatrefoil frieze.

{1} C16 or C17, remodelled in an ornamental Gothic style. Stucco, low pitched roof behind crenellated parapet, octagonal angle turrets, moulded cornice, quatrefoil frieze. Stucco, 3 storeys, sash windows with pointed arched glazing bars, dripmoulds. 2 windows wide 2 storey canted bay on right, pointed arched lst floor window on left over doorway. 6 panelled door, 2 panels glazed, in 4 centred arch with surround under ornamented frieze, cornice forming narrow balcony, formerly with railings. Interior said to contain C19 staircase with turned balusters. Building includes No. 1 Tavern Lane (qv) for description of north front.

{3} C16th and C17th house. Remodelled in an ornamental Gothic style. 3 storeys.

{4} Painted wooden panels were located within the room that occupies the whole width of the Sheaf Street frontage. The panelling had been covered by hessian attached to battens directly nailed to the panels. The panelling formed cupboard doors which had been nailed shut. The upper cupboard was accessible and ran fron dado to ceiling height. The shelves in its interior were shaped in projections apparently designed to display pieces of pottery. Another series of cupboards with plain interiors contain two pencil text inscriptions, 'shut up August 4th 1852' and 'this bugger was shut up August 4th 1852 all serene' and may date this period of work. Above the panelling the wooden cornice remains intact. Nineteenth century wooden mouldings around the bay window appears to overlay the earlier panelling.
Behind the panelling the plain plastered wall surface of the earlier room survives.

{6} A large, elaborate ornamental gothic style building on the corner of High Street and Sheaf Street. This represents a re-facing of the building. The original structure is of 16th or 17th century date and is constructed of stone. The building was once used as a social club for the BBC. Film 6 photo 20-21.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 1/69 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), D06B (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> 1998, Buildings At Risk Survey, p.42 (checked) (Report). SNN43352.

<4> Prentice, J., 1999, Addendum to survey at the former BBC building, Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN102486.

<5> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.174 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<6> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<7> Martin-Bacon, H, 2019, 2 Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northants: Heritage Statement to support a Planning Application and LBC for a Grade 2* listed building (Report). SNN112479.

<8> Prentice, J, 1999, Desk Top Assessment and Building Recording Survey at 2 Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire, September 1999 (Report). SNN113035.

<9> Prentice, J, 1999, An Endoscopy Survey at the Former BBC Building, Sheaf Street, Daventry, September 1999 (Report). SNN113036.

Record last edited

Aug 16 2022 10:23AM