Victoria Street

In the 1860s a new street was cut through the centre of the city to aid east-west communication. 

Victoria Street and the streets running off it were subsequently developed with large new buildings combining office accommodation and warehousing. 

Generally these were built speculatively and provided storage for several different companies. 

Less celebrated than Castle Street or Dale Street, Victoria Street none the less preserves its 19th century character largely unaltered. 

 

Fowler's Building, Victoria Street 
1865-69
Grade II*

The first substantial new building on Victoria Street was Fowler's Building, designed by Sir James Picton for the Fowler Brothers, international dealers in foodstuffs. 

The frontage block of stone with polished granite columns housed the company offices, whilst behind it is a larger area of brick warehousing, part of which was reputedly used as a fish smokery. 

Ashcroft Building, Victoria Street 
1883
Grade II

This corner building was erected for a billiard table manufacturer to the design of Hoult and Wise. 

It had a restaurant in the basement with offices and workshops above. A flat roof area was used for storing timber and slate for the billiard tables.

Union House, Victoria Street 
1882
Grade II

This five storey building has a conventional stone elevation with polished granite columns to Victoria Street. 

Fronting Progress Place is a cast iron and glass façade containing an iron staircase and inside the entrance there is a plaster frieze illustrating the shipping of tea. 

Head Post Office, Victoria Street 
1899
Unlisted

This great General Post Office building was one of the earliest to be designed by Sir Henry Tanner, Chief Architect in the Office of Works. 

It lost its upper floor after war damage. Although it has not been used as a post office since the 1970s, it remains an impressive feature of the street.

Jerome Buildings and Carlisle Buildings, Victoria Street 
1883 and 1885
Grade II

This pair of matching buildings, designed by John Clarke, combine offices, shops and warehousing. 

The fanciful Gothic fronts with their pyramidal dormers and carvings of mythological beasts contrast with the plain backs punctuated by loading bays.