Southport Arts Centre: Difference between revisions

The centre is constructed in [[sandstone]] [[ashlar]] with a [[slate]] roof.<ref name=nhl/> Its architectural style is mixed, with elements of Italian [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] and [[French Renaissance architecture|French Renaissance]] styles together with "Victorian incised ornament".<ref name=pev/> The building is in two storeys with attics and has a symmetrical nine-[[bay (architecture)|bays]]front, excluding the towers. Running along the ground floor is a [[loggia]] incorporating a [[porte cochère]] in the central three bays. The loggia forms an [[arcade (architecture)|arcade]] of segmental arches carried on cylindrical columns with [[crocket]]ed [[capital (architecture)|capitals]]. Behind the loggia are round-headed entrances and segmental-headed windows. The outer bays project forward, their lower storey is [[rustication (architecture)|rusticated]], and it contains a square-headed window with [[voussoir]]s. In the upper floor, each bay contains a tall round-headed window with [[molding (decorative)|moulded]] [[impost (architecture)|imposts]]. Between the floors is a [[frieze]] and a [[cornice]]. Atop the building are three towers, one at each end and one in the centre. The tallest is the clock tower at the right end of the front facing Lord Street. This has a tall [[belfry (architecture)|belfry]], above which are clock faces on all four sides, and an elaborate lead-clad spire.<ref name=nhl/> The tower is {{convert|132|ft|m|0}} high.<ref name=pev/> and was fitted with five bells and a Cambridge-chiming clock by [[J. B. Joyce & Co]] of Whitchurch.<ref name="Pickford1995">{{cite book |editor1-last=Pickford |editor1-first=Chris |title=Turret Clocks: Lists of Clocks from Makers' Catalogues and Publicity Materials |date=1995 |publisher=Antiquarian Horological Society |location=Wadhurst, E. Sussex |page=127 |edition=2nd}}</ref> At the left end of the same front is a smaller tower with a [[Baroque]]-style roof, and in the centre is a tower-like attic [[dormer]]. Along the top of the building, between the towers, is a [[dentil]]led cornice with a pierced [[parapet]].<ref name=nhl/> The interior of the centre contains an entrance hall with a [[coffer]]ed ceiling, and a stone staircase with florid Gothic columns.<ref name=pev/><ref name=nhl/> On the left of the front of the building facing Lord Street is the two-bay entrance to the Cambridge Arcade, and on the right is an arch linking it to the Atkinson Art Gallery and Library. Both of these have inscribed friezes, and both are included in the listing.<ref name=nhl/>