Site Event/Activity record ECH7005 - Historic Building Recording at 16 Northgate Street, Chester

Archaeological recording of Roman remains, also the underside of the Row walkway, was carried out at 16 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HA, in January 2022. The work was undertaken in support of an application for internal and external alterations to the lower ground floor levels (circa 548m2) of Units 14 and 16, Northgate Street, to amalgamate the units. Both buildings are Grade II listed and lie within the Chester Conservation area. Twelve sandstone hypocaust pillars, interpreted as belonging to a former Roman praetorium, are located towards the rear east side of No. 16, along the north elevation, and underlie Leen Lane. Some Medieval structural remains were incorporated into the extant structure, and relate to Medieval Row walkway. Extensive alteration to the structures forming No. 16 has occurred throughout the Post Medieval and modern periods. The archaeological work carried out could not definitively establish if the Roman remains were wholly in situ. However, it was confirmed that the Medieval oak timbers and floorboards of the underside of the Row walkway remain in situ and had been encased within later materials. Timber beams associated with the stallboard appear to represent a secondary Medieval phase of construction. (1)