Above the Fascia

As we rush about during our busy days through our towns and cities it is easy to miss an interesting building. “High Streets” throughout the country are almost identical, the only difference being the order of the national stores. Looking above the fascia is a good exercise for the neck muscles and can be a joy to the eyes.



This building at 24-25 Guildhall Street is one such building. Built in the mid 18th century it has been sympathetically maintained and improved over the last 250 years. Dwarfed by its much younger neighbours, it sits confidently exuding the fabric of the history of Lincoln.

Grade II listed, brick-built, stucco front and plain tile roof with two storeys and an attic, it has been two shops for much of its life. To the left, early 20th century shopfront, with pilastered surround and gabled brackets, and late 20th century windows. To the right, mid 20th century shopfront.

First-floor 19th century oriel window flanked by single 20th-century casements. Attic, central dormer with 2 sliding sashes, and to right, a single dormer with a casement.

305-6 is probably the most stunning building on Lincoln's High Street. Designed in 1899 by William Watkins (1835-1926), the architect, of Lincoln, it was built by William Wright for Hewitt Brown & Co in 1900.

 
Built of brick with terracotta dressings and slate roof with 2 panelled side wall stacks. Designed in Flemish Renaissance Revival. The terracotta dressings were made by the Hathern Station Brick Co. of Loughborough.

Brown & Co began trading from this address in about 1890, becoming Brown Hewitt & Co in 1899. The company continued until about 1909 when Foster and Sons moved into the premises. In the 1920s Currys, the electrical retailer, opened a branch here continuing until 2008 when Fat Face moved in after a £400,000 refit.

 

You do not need to look up though, to see Curtis and Mawer's stunning building, it is unmissable from whichever direction it is approached. The frontage seen today is from 1922 following a disastrous, fire that almost totally destroyed the building, the entrance door is a survivor from an earlier frontage.