27 - 37 Wigmore Street, London



Architect
William Wallace and James Gibson
Date Built
1907
Location
27 - 37 Wigmore Street
Description
This vast Baroque revival building, across the street from the Wigmore Hall, was built as a department store for Debenham and Freebody.  In 1813 William Debenham invested in a company established by William Clark selling expensive fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols from his store at 44 Wigmore Street.  The new company became known as Clark asnd Debenham.  In 1851 Clement Freebody invested in the company and in response it was renamed Debenham and Freebody.  That company was incorporated in 1905 and in 1907 they moved into this purpose build store further along Wigmore Street.



Today the building is Grade II Listed and at the time of its listing it was described as, "... Entirely faced with white Doulton Carrara tiles. ....  slate roof. Five storeys. Nineteen windows wide in all, not quite symmetrical as the 2 end bays next to right hand splayed corner fall outside the symmetry.



"... second and third floors recessed with columns flanking central window, all framed by rusticated panelled piers with garlanded cartouche caps wing through main entablature to segmental pedimented attic aedicule with crest of Royal Arms......



..... Behind is a large, columned aedicule lantern-turret."



"Interior retains grand marble clad hall with columns flanking main flight of marble staircase etc; plasterwork in range of first floor rooms overlooking street by Ernest Gimson."

Beside the central entrance on Wigmore Street is the number 33.  It describes itself as, ".... a comprehensively refurbished HQ building in a key West End location. 25,509 ft of spacious, flexible and efficient office space is available over three floors, all presented to the highest level of detail and finish.



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