ARCHITECTURE & HISTORY OF PIERREPONT STREET

The houses fronting on to the North and South Parades and their connecting links of Pierrpont and Duke Streets, form the only realised part of John Woods vast scheme for developing the Abbey Orchard site and due to the coming of the railway, redevelopment and the blitz little remain of his final plan.
However he intended to decorate each pedimented central feature with a Venetian window at first floor level but had to change his plans to suit that of the more conservative Corporation.
One feature of architecture Wood managed to get passed was the St James Portico, skilfully contrived to give access to Orchard Street without breaking the uniformity of the street façade. The portico forms the ground-story of the middle house, the upper part of the building being carried on four massive Tuscan columns, dividing into two walkways and a carriageway of 10 feet wide, enough for access to the residences and famous Orchard Street Theatre beyond where the great Sarah Siddons used to regularly perform.

The towering spire of St Johns Church dominates the skyline and was built by C F Hansom who was the brother of the creator of the Hansom cab.
Admiral Horatio Nelson then only a Post Captain lodged with his apothecary Joseph Spry at No 2 Pierrepont Street in 1781, whilst his father the Reverend Nelson lived across the road at number 9 Pierrpont Street with his daughters who worked as milliners in Messrs Walters, Milsom Street.

Pierrepont Place leads to Linley House,one time home of the Linley family whose daughter Elizabeth eloped with the playwright Sheridan and was where Nelsons lover Lady Hamilton once also resided.

Close Window