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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Listed building or place reference: HE1422

Historic site reference
Property
States Buildings & Royal Court
Road name
Royal Square
Parish
St. Helier
Location
View on map
Grade
Listed Building Grade 1
Category
Law / government building
Statement of significance
Outstanding group of government buildings, of exceptional historical significance.
Context
n/a
External Description
Dressed granite, coats of arms and fine porticoes grace the external facades creating a sense of dignity and grandeur. The central section contains the Royal Court. It has origins dating back to 1768, although the present building was completed in 1866/77. A hint to the earlier building is provided by George II's Royal Coat of Arms which were retained from the old building and now sit above the present public entrance. The building has an Italianate style, inspired by Charles Barry. The whole building is constructed of stone with the ground floor in rusticated granite, with 7 bays of segmental-headed windows; the principal floor has segmental pediments over the windows with coats of arms incorporated above the doorways. The composition is topped by a fine extravagent oversailing Italianate cornice. The interior of the building includes two substantial Tudor chairs, which are believed to have belonged to Sir Walter Ralegh - who was Governor of Jersey in 1600. Above the chairs hangs a richly carved canopy which was the work of local craftsmen Henry Sohier. To the east is the States Chamber, completed in 1887. The ground floor is of rusticated granite, with rusticated columns in antis at the entrance to the chamber, surmounted by rendered Corinthian pilasters dividing five tall round-headed windows, and topped by a rendered pediment and heavy entablature. The building was formally opened on 21st June 1887. The chamber is in Jacobean style with the benches arranged in horseshoe form around the twin seats of the Bailiff and Lieutenant Governor. The Bailiff's seat is raised slightly higher than that of the Lieutenant Governor to demonstrate his precedence. The chamber was designed by Ancell & Orange with Jacobean style oak fittings, richly decorated carving, and mouldings made out of Plaster of Paris. Some of the mouldings incorporate the faces of cherubs and were made by P Le Riche.The fine stained glass roof light in the corridor is decorated with the 12 Parish crests surrounding the Jersey coat-of-arms. Messrs Ancell & Orange were also commissioned to design the adjacent library. This is in granite, embracing a pediment borne on Ionic columns in antis, a large round-headed central window with segmental-headed windows on either side, a portico on rusticated columns, flanked by a domed tower. Of particular note to the interior is a richly carved oak ornamental fireplace and the patterned stained glass ceiling light. To the west is a fine example of the Baroque revival style, built in 1931 to designs by architect Roy Blampied, with a portico of double rusticated Ionic columns and a pair of entwined dolphins in the parapet.
Internal Description
n/a
Special interest
Architectural,Historical

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Documents

The plans, drawings and material provided have been submitted to the Chief Officer for permissions in respect of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002. They are protected by copyright under the Intellectual Property (Unregistered Rights) (Jersey) Law 2011 (Article 70 of the 2011 Law).

The material is being provided to make available for public inspection the Register of Planning and Building Applications and must not be used for other purposes without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

The Minister for the Environment makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this website but cannot accept responsibility for and disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of the information provided.

For applications approved during or after July 2016 approved documents are available from within the ‘Approved Documents’ section. For applications approved from 15 May 2012 - July 2016 approved documents are available under the ‘Plans’ section.

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