1-4 Holborn Bars, Staple Inn London, England

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TQ3181NW HOLBORN BARS 627-0/1/10199 (South side) 14/05/ Nos.1-4 (Consecutive) (Formerly Listed as: CAMDEN STAPLE INN, Holborn Bars Nos.1-4 (Consecutive))

GV I 4 chambers with later shops. The rear of these buildings form Nos 4, 5 & 6 Staple Inn (qv). 1586 for Vincent Engham, Principal of the Inn. In 1886 Alfred Waterhouse removed post-medieval additions (a plastered front and sash windows of Cl8 date) in a restoration funded by the Prudential Assurance Company. The rear resurfaced in brick c1826. Interior & rear extensively reconstructed in 1939 in order to preserve the timber framing to the front wall; restorations c1950. Close studded timber frame front elevation with brick rear under a tiled, gabled, roof C20 chimney stacks. 3 storeys and attic. Symmetrical front of 5 gabled bays having overhanging jetties at floor levels. Entrance to Staple Inn in central bay. The central gable bay with original splayed oriel window of 6 lights and one light to either side over main entrance (lst and 2nd floors). Each flanking bay with 8 or 9 lights, the centres projecting (lst and 2nd floors). 8 lights to attics. Transom and mullion casement windows with square leaded panes. Carved bressumers at floor levels and carved bargeboards to gables. At ground floor, entrance to Staple Inn, a carved stone arched gateway flanked by Jacobean pilasters with moulded impost-capitals, round arch with reeded archivolt, panelled soffit and pendant key-block. Double panelled doors with wicket in right-hand leaf. To left, early C19 shopfronts, much altered. No.3 with projecting entablature; No.4 entablature with inswept frieze and dentil cornice and Corinthian pilaster at right hand from. former shop doorway. Interior with C19 mahogany and glass fittings. Nos 1 & 2 with 1930s "Tudor" double front with central entrance. Herringbone brick risers support plate glass Tudor arched windows with enriched carved frames and spandrels beneath strips of small panes; entrance arch with coats of arms in spandrels. INTERIORS: not inspected. HISTORY: with Nos 337 & 338 High Holborn (qv), these building form a unique example in London of a Cl6 group of timber-framed houses. Forms a group with the Cl8 styled buildings with addresses as follows: Nos 1, 2 and 3 Staple Inn (qv), Nos 4, 5 and 6 Staple Inn (qv), Nos 7 and 8 Staple Inn (qv), and Nos 9 and 10 Staple Inn (qv). Formerly Listed in the LB of Camden. Since 1 April 1994 Staple Inn has been within the City of London.

Listing NGR: TQ3115481587