A handsome building

Yesterday I went up to Bristol with daughter who had an appointment. We were slightly behind time so when she had parked she hurried on ahead along Park Row and I strolled along behind. I waited outside, and just stood, leaning against a wall, watching the world go by. Rush hour was over but there was traffic of all sorts passing by, up or down the slight rise in the road. Also passing by, up and down were various pedestrians, some wandering, some walking speedily, some strolling purposefully but in no hurry.

It was pleasant to stand, think about things, observe what was going on, jot some notes, write a bit, imagine the stories of the people who went past, and appreciate the rather magnificent building opposite me. It was probably over a hundred years old, pleasingly proportioned, stone faced. There was a central part, the lower story had three arched – windows? Doors? Probably windows but now blocked in. Above these tall narrow windows with their rounded tops was a stone  bar where I guess once the name of the business had been painted. There were two floors above, each lit by three long windows. Above that was a triangular stone with a circular window – was it an attic, a pretend window to enhance the appearance, was it part of the room below? On either side of this main part of the building was a three story extension, with a wide gateway, now bricked up, which must have given admittance for carts to the back yard, Above the old gateway was a window with three parts, and the floor above that had a window with two parts.

My description isn’t very clear, my knowledge of architecture and of doors and the anatomy of windows is somewhat poor, so here is a picture:

Isn’t it a handsome building? I discovered that it used to be The Bristol Steam Carpet Beating Co. Limited  and John Parrish was the managing director. Six years ago Bristol University wanted to demolish it and build something else, fortunately Bristol Civic Society denied permission. This is how the building was described by them: ‘‘A tall 19th century 4-storey warehouse with lower 3-storey flanking ranges – Pennant Sandstone with limestone dressings.’”

https://www.bristolcivicsociety.org.uk/23-29-park-row/