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Pavilion. 1911 by HA Garrett, Borough Surveyor, based on 1897 designs by Edward Richards, architect to the Haldon estate; contractor RE Narracott of Stoke Gabriel. Conversion to shopping precinct 1986-7. Built on reclaimed land on a concrete raft reinforced with expanded steel frame with brick infill, clad externally with Doulton's patent carrera-ware with a cream and green glazed finish; copper roof; fine Art Nouveau ironwork. PLAN: On a north/south axis. Nave with barrel roof and clerestory windows, top-lit by a central dome. Flat-roofed flanking aisles and end blocks for roof promenades incorporate octagonal corner turrets with railings and domed roofs on cast-iron columns; central bow on west side overlooking Princess Gardens. Interior originally comprised hall with a stage, orchestra pit and balcony; tea garden on roof. EXTERIOR: Nave with pedimented, gabled ends with large Diocletian windows onto ashphalted roof terraces with balustrades; cast-iron steps with floral balustrades on east and west sides. Corner turrets with pretty railings and bell-shaped copper domes on cast-iron columns. North end entrance block with terrace over, flanked by turrets with pointed copper domes crowned with statues of Mercury. Statue of Britannia on nave dome. Segmental-headed doorway with glazed canopy on cast-iron brackets. Sides articulated with pilasters; round-headed windows, some arranged in pairs and triplets with Art Nouveau glass. East side repaired in the 1980s conversion following demolition of adjoining theatre. INTERIOR: Original plasterwork to barrel vault, arranged in panels. Borough arms over east entrance flanked by good figures of health and happiness. 1980s stair to mezzanine. An exuberant seaside building with an interesting construction and exceptional ironwork. (Ellis CA: An Historical Survey of Torquay, 2nd edition: 1930-: P.382-386; Buildings of England: Cherry B: Devon: London: 1952-1989: P.854).

LIT_9398 by Leo Thimmes

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Lital by Natalia Vasilkov