Building record 10172 - Medieval building at 1 Whitefriars

No 1 Whitefriars, also called the Old House, is a probable medieval structure with extensive later remodelling in 1658 and in the 1980s. The present superstructure consists of a two bay, two storey timber framed building with plaster panels and brown brick. The second storey has a pronounced jettied front. The cellar is believed to be 14th century, originally with an opening onto the street, now blocked up. The house was included on the English Heritage Listed Buildings Register in 1955. (1)

An architectural survey was carried out in 1988 when it was discovered the building was earlier than previously thought with a number of well preserved late medieval timbers. The evidence from this survey suggested the original structure was much larger, possibly extending into No 3 Whitefriars. Based on the evidence of the survey, several phases of construction could be identified beginning with the construction of a four bay building parallel with the street with rear cross wings sometime in the late 16th century. This was followed by the addition of internal features including a large fireplace and a decorative plaster frieze. Some internal re-arrangement was also apparent. The third phase of construction can be dated to 1658 by the inscription on the building and includes the addition of the first floor jetty indicating a high status dwelling at this point. Finally, phase four comprises the later subdivision of the property and the insertion of separate staircases. (2, 3)

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1376471 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<2> Grosvenor Museum, 1988, Grosvenor Museum Excavation section: Current Activities & Upcoming Sites (Unpublished Report). SCH6282.

<3> Gerenville J C and R C Turner, 1986, Two timber-Framed Houses in Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5858.