Building record 10463/2 - Chester Rows: 26 Watergate Street Row

No 26 Watergate Street Row consists of a three storey town house of probable 18th century date, however like the undercroft below, the western party wall is likely medieval in date.

The Row level storey contains the medieval party wall and a 17th century chimney, the remaining features are early 18th century in date. Two rooms are fully panelled with a hall and staircase dated to the early 1700s. Victorian alterations were noted throughout however. Unusually, the interior floor of the Row level is lower than the Row walkway. A modern brick extension is noted to the rear although it is suggested this replaced an earlier structure.

The first floor of the Row building is predominately Queen Anne in style with panelling recorded throughout, although again restoration is significant. The medieval party wall is also recorded on this floor in the west back room with exposed stonework noted. The second floor of the Row building is similar in style to the first. On this occasion, the roof was also examined indicating three phases of construction with the pre 1700 double gable later extended in the early 1700s and the later addition of a light well. The Row walkway is fronted by iron railings with Tuscan columns supporting the upper floors. (1)

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1985-1990, Chester Rows Research Project Archive, CHER 10463 (Paper Archive). SCH6789.

<2> Brown. A. (ed), 1999, The Rows of Chester: The Chester Rows Research Project (Book). SCH6790.

<3> Smith. M.A., 1986, Chester Rows Research Project: First Interim Report (Unpublished Report). SCH6791.

<4> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<5> Brown, A N, J C Grenville and R C Turner, 1990, Watergate Street The Rows Research Project (Unpublished Report). SCH6636.