Link to printer-friendly page

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 76 NW 551
Type of record:Listed Building
Name:PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1706 to 1899 Building, 1706 and later.


Grid Reference:TQ 7432 6865
Map Sheet:TQ76NW
Parish:ROCHESTER & CHATHAM, MEDWAY, KENT

Monument Types

Protected Status:Listed Building (I) 1086474: PUBLIC LIBRARY (FORMER CORN EXCHANGE) TO REAR OF HIGH STREET, THE CORN EXCHANGE AND THE CORN EXCHANGE

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/114 The Corn Exchange 23.8.74 GV I Former Corn Exchange. High Street facade built in 1706 'at sole charge of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Knight' MP for Rochester. Range behind rebuilt in C19. Replacement Exchange erected to rear facing Northgate in 1870 by Flockton and Abbot. High Street facade: red brick with rusticated quoins; Kent tile roof. 2 storeys. Symmetrical 4-window range. Large pediment with modillions, containing blind oculus with rich stucco frame, the unbroken cornice returning to either side. 4 tall, narrow windows to 1st floor with later glazing bars, panelled aprons and projecting moulded blocks above keystones, dated 1706. Central doorway with elaborate surround: swan-neck pediment on a pulvinated frieze with carved end console brackets enclosing a moulded round-headed arch with carved spandrels on moulded pilasters and imposts. Fanlight with glazing bars; panelled double doors with fixed side panels. Above the entrance a cartouche with lettering. At cornice level a moulded beam on carved bracket supports a large clock projecting over the street. Moulded plinth. On the roof ridge a plain polygonal cupola containing a single bell. The work of Shovell was never more than a facade. Fragments of an earlier building survive behind. Northgate range with exchange room to 1st floor, now with library below. Masively scaled; brown brick with buff brick dressings; hipped Welsh slate roof; continuous dentilled cornice. Rectangular block, 3 x 5 bays; 3 storeys, the 1st storey taller than the others to accommodate the principal room. Front (to Northgate): regular fenestration to upper floors; 3 round-headed windows to 2nd floor with original glazing bars; 3 tall square- headed recessed windows to 1st floor with altered glazing bars: the brick string courses at sill level rise to frame these windows which are set centrally and close together. Ground-floor openings under depressed arches with keyblocks now with 2 panelled double doors and 2 sash windows with glazing bars. 2- storey annex to left with paired sash windows with margin panes to 1st floor and ground floor openings as to main block. Left and right margins with 6 2nd floor windows as front; 3 lateral stacks with moulded caps.
Listing NGR: TQ7432968662

Description from record TQ 76 NW 83 :
(TQ 74316865) Corn Exchange (NAT) (1) HIGH STREET North East Side I Corn Exchange Built in 1706 "at sole charge of Sir Cloudsley Shovell, Knight" who was M.P. for Rochester. Important symmetrical facade of 2 storeys. Red brick front with rustic quoins, rubbed flat arches to 1st floor and semi-circular arches to ground floor, recessed and moulded aprons, moulded stucco plinth. Steep pediment, with elaborate wooden cornice at sides, across front and up slopes, containing circular windows in carved frame. 4 narrow 1st flor windowswith later sashes. 2 ground floor windows. Wide double door with elaborate case having split carved pediment on entablature of pulvinated frieze supported by carved end brackets and enclosing moulded arch and carved spandrels. Moulded impost and panelled pilasters to segmental keystone arch. Fanlight over 4 unit panelling. 2 fixed; 2 centre are doors. Projecting moulded blocks over keystones of ground floor arched windows dated 1706. Clock projects over street with moulded beam with carved brackets springing from lettered plaque with carved frame and bead below. Cupola over tile roof. Weatherboarded to rear. (2) Additional bibliography. (3) Additional architectural reference. (4)

An evaluation in 1996 confirmed the presence of an extensive brick valuted cellar. (5)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/114 The Corn Exchange 23.8.74 GV I Former Corn Exchange. High Street facade built in 1706 'at sole charge of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Knight' MP for Rochester. Range behind rebuilt in C19. Replacement Exchange erected to rear facing Northgate in 1870 by Flockton and Abbot. High Street facade: red brick with rusticated quoins; Kent tile roof. 2 storeys. Symmetrical 4-window range. Large pediment with modillions, containing blind oculus with rich stucco frame, the unbroken cornice returning to either side. 4 tall, narrow windows to 1st floor with later glazing bars, panelled aprons and projecting moulded blocks above keystones, dated 1706. Central doorway with elaborate surround: swan-neck pediment on a pulvinated frieze with carved end console brackets enclosing a moulded round-headed arch with carved spandrels on moulded pilasters and imposts. Fanlight with glazing bars; panelled double doors with fixed side panels. Above the entrance a cartouche with lettering. At cornice level a moulded beam on carved bracket supports a large clock projecting over the street. Moulded plinth. On the roof ridge a plain polygonal cupola containing a single bell. The work of Shovell was never more than a facade. Fragments of an earlier building survive behind. Northgate range with exchange room to 1st floor, now with library below. Masively scaled; brown brick with buff brick dressings; hipped Welsh slate roof; continuous dentilled cornice. Rectangular block, 3 x 5 bays; 3 storeys, the 1st storey taller than the others to accommodate the principal room. Front (to Northgate): regular fenestration to upper floors; 3 round-headed windows to 2nd floor with original glazing bars; 3 tall square- headed recessed windows to 1st floor with altered glazing bars: the brick string courses at sill level rise to frame these windows which are set centrally and close together. Ground-floor openings under depressed arches with keyblocks now with 2 panelled double doors and 2 sash windows with glazing bars. 2- storey annex to left with paired sash windows with margin panes to 1st floor and ground floor openings as to main block. Left and right margins with 6 2nd floor windows as front; 3 lateral stacks with moulded caps.
Listing NGR: TQ7432968662 (6)


<1> OS 1:2500 1970 (OS Card Reference). SKE48212.

<2> DOE(HHR)Dist of City of Rochester Kent July 1969 21 (OS Card Reference). SKE41298.

<3> Bldgs of Eng West Kent and the Weald 1980 494 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38085.

<4> DOE(HHR)City of Rochester upon Medway Kent, 2nd Dec 1991 62 (OS Card Reference). SKE41274.

<5> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Corn Exchange, Rochester (Unpublished document). SKE6672.

<6> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>OS Card Reference: OS 1:2500 1970.
<2>OS Card Reference: DOE(HHR)Dist of City of Rochester Kent July 1969 21.
<3>OS Card Reference: Bldgs of Eng West Kent and the Weald 1980 494 (J Newman).
<4>OS Card Reference: DOE(HHR)City of Rochester upon Medway Kent, 2nd Dec 1991 62.
<5>Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1996. Corn Exchange, Rochester.
<6>XYMap: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. [Mapped feature: #29445 Listed Building, ]