Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
2189
Building Number
Grade
II*
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
01/04/1974
Date of Amendment
30/04/2004
Name of Property
Porth-y-carn
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Monmouthshire
Community
Usk
Town
Usk
Locality
Usk
Easting
337520
Northing
200990
Street Side
W
Location
Just N of town centre and set back from the road in a garden, reached by a short drive and backing onto the River Usk.
Description
Broad Class
Domestic
Period
History
In C17 the area was known as Conigre (rabbit warren). This house was built c 1834 for Thomas Reece, agent of ironmaster Crawshay Bailey. In 1851 census it was the highest rated residence in Usk.
Exterior
Villa in classical style. Stucco rendered with shallow-pitched slate roof behind a corniced parapet; tall, long and narrow corniced rendered cross-ridge stacks. Near rectangular plan comprising main block with entrance porch and narrower, and lower, side wing to left. Two storeys. The main block has a three-window range of 12-pane sashes in reveals with narrow glazing bars to first floor; tripartite to ground floor under a moulded bracketed hood; side bays are slightly advanced. Two steps up to central porch with heavy entablature, Doric columns in antis, the latter created by engraving the stucco; set back is a very large doorcase comprising double 4-panelled doors, margin lights and a large overlight with margin-type glazing; stone flagged floor. To left is the two storey two-window range wing. The rear elevation to river is similarly configured to the front, except for the doorway which has a shallow moulded surround incorporating paired pilasters each side and an entablature with wreathed motifs; recessed 4-panelled door. N elevation has large 12-pane windows on ground floor, smaller above, blind to centre.
Interior
Said to retain contemporary furnishings such as 6-panelled doors, moulded surrounds with paterae, shutters, panelled reveals and shelved recesses, moulded plaster cornices and marble fireplaces.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as amongst the best of a small number of grander early-mid C19 houses in the town, especially interesting as a comparison with near-contemporary Plas-newydd opposite. Group value with listed buildings in Porthycarne Street.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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