Heritage Assessment at 61 Broad Street Worcester WR1 3LY

RDA were commissioned to carry out a site survey inspection and research to assess the heritage significance for the property 'as existing', designated GDII *, with research before and after RDA site inspection survey of the whole building. This report included consulting HER from Worcester City Council and recalling historic planning papers. This report includes a brief historical background of Broad Street Worcester, setting and vistas, history of the site; 61 Broad Street Worcester, including archive research. A visit to Worcester County Records was also undertaken. This report also includes; A Planning history, Phasing, Map Regression Exercise, A Heritage Survey: Understanding the History and Architecture with written building descriptions with RDA Photographs using architects plans annotated by ourselves. Floor plans 'as existing' were provided , Cellar, GF, 1,2,3,4 Floors. An Interior Analysis and Phasing is equivalent to at least a Historic England Building Recording Level 2 'A Guide to Good Recording Practice Published 24 May 2016' as a means of assessing the significance retained, as of 2022. Conclusion; A Statement of Significance; Assessment of Significance-Historical Value; Evidential/Architectural Value; Setting/ Group Value; Community Value, and some Conservation advice. This assessment was commissioned to help inform the LPA on a proposal but is not an analysis of any proposed new works or the impact. A Schedule of works and Impact Assessment should be carried out taking into account the findings from this heritage report. This report does include some assessment of significance of the heritage asset and its surroundings and analysis of the historic fabric as found and could be seen on July 30th 2022 There was one site visit made on July 30th to access and take photographs, equivalent to a Level 2 Building Recording, [Ref Understanding Historic Buildings A Guide to Good Recording Practice Historic England May 2016] as a means of assessing the significance of 61 Broad Street but this was not a standalone 'building recording' although this report may negate a recording as condition. 61 Broad Street [GDII* listed], in the City of Worcester Worcestershire is important architecturally and has original mid-18th century features. To the elevations to the front these are the original brick, early 18th Venetian windows with figurine keystones; decorative quoins, a parapet with urns. To the rear there is some further original mid-18th century brickwork. Later phasing includes the replacement dome and shop front window, that have historical and community significance. Later alterations have involved the removal of the ground floor arches and there was substantial underpinning in the cellar although some brick arches remain. Internally notably there is a fine example of a continuous staircase carried over four floors with 18th century Chinese Chippendale timber balustrades/fretwork mentioned in the list description. There are notable timber chimney pieces also mentioned in the list description, each with their own character. The Second and Third Floor have not been subject to the same C20 C21 interventions and more original fabric remains including a simple decorated ceiling to Front Second Floor. There is an historical association in 1787 with Joseph Blackburn a renowned painter who may have had the building built, and Edwin Lees for a short while during 1829 to 1831 [See Section 4.4] Joseph Blackburn was one of the most important painters working in colonial America during the 1750s and 1760s. Portraits by him hang in many American galleries as well as a number in Britain. Around one hundred and fifty paintings have been attributed to him. He was buried at St Nicholas Church Worcester, now the Slug and Lettuce, on 11th July 1787. Edwin Lees was well known naturalist and printer.