| Description | 53 and 55 Northgate, Wakefield. Multi phase timber framed building originating in the late 15th century.
Although treated as two separate records, each with separate own English Heritage listed building designation, nos. 53 55 and no. 57 Northgate were originally different phases of a continuous building range which were investigated as part of a single building survey event (see below). See PRN 12988 for further information regarding nos. 53 55 Northgate.
'Two shops with accommodation above. Late C15, 1596, early C18, early C19 altered, c1930. Timber framed, red brick, rock faced ashlar and render. Slate and concrete tile roofs. Two brick stacks. Five bays, 3 storeys. East front has 2 C20 shop fronts with recessed central door to left and side doors to right. Above C20 rock faced ashlar, with 3 C20 casements, above again 5 openings, 2 blind, and the 3 to the right with C20 casements. Gill's yard, south front, under archway, has a fine early C18 door surround, with cabled frieze and fine 6 panel door. Rear front, to Gill's yard, 2 storey. Rendered with a central doorway, with double plank doors, and to the left a C20 window, above 2 C20 casements. Interior of No 53 retains some late C15 timber framing, including a chamfered spine beam and joists with original painted chevron decoration. The ground floor has the remains of a moulded stone fireplace, with a complete fireplace above. The upper floor retains an oak panelled frieze and an elaborate Elizabethan plaster ceiling with the remains of a contemporary frieze. Plus a single close studded wall and most of its original roof including 2 king post trusses. No 55 has the remains of a C16 ceiling with deeply moulded cross beams behind an early C19 staircase and a contemporary fireplace'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 12/02/1990. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1272883. Web site accessed 25/11/013).
53 57 Northgate was the subject of an archaeological assessment by Colum Giles in 1978. The photographic images produced by the assessment are held by WYAAS (Giles, C. (WYAS). 1978). In addition to front exterior shots, the images depicted details of the late 16th century plaster work which includes a 1596 date impression found in an upstairs room.
The West Yorkshire Archaeology Service made a spot list request to the Department of environment with regard to 53 57. At the time of the H.B.M.C Inspector’s visit, few architectural features were visible other than the fine Elizabethan ceiling dated 1596 room. An application for planning permission and listed building consent was submitted to Wakefield MDC in respect of a refurbishment scheme for shops and offices (Wakefield Council planning reference numbers 90/99/47975; A and B). WYAAS archives holds a set of architect's drawings dated to August 1990 which probably relate to this application (John R. Paley Associates. 1990). WYAS advised that the application could not be determined until the structure was better understood. As a result, WYAAS officers made an almost daily supervision as the interior was gutted. A building of 'singular importance' was revealed. A full measured survey followed. The resulting report, which is held by WYAAS contains an historic building description, annotated interpretation drawings (particularly of historic decoration and the arrangement of the timber framing), and photographic images (Thornborrow, P.H. (Historic Buildings Officer. WYAS). 1990). WYAAS also holds the archive of related research material, notes and correspondence. |