Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
14 (The Eagle Tavern) Lempriere Street, St. Helier.
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the published principles of selection for registration. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 1 October 2008
File ref: HE9125
Current status
Not registered. The property was removed from the Register by JBH Sub-Committee in 2002.
Relevant interests of the site
Historic interest
The land registry refers to a house on the site of 14 Lempriere Street in 1832 but it is unclear whether this is the same building. By the end of the 19th century, the property is described as a house also used as a tavern. The property was bought by F Middleton in September 1899 and sold on to de Veulle Ltd in December 1899. It was perhaps converted to a public house during this period. This is supported by the census records that show families in residence with a variety of occupations in 1891, and a taverner in residence in 1901. The building was then converted into a baker’s shop in the early 20th century and back into a public house when the licence was renewed in 1954.
Architectural interest
The building forms the corner of Lempriere Street and Devonshire Lane and is 3-bay, 2-storey with a single storey rear extension. The walls are rendered and there is a 20th century interlocking clay tile roof with modern box dormer. The main elevation has a large multi-pane timber window with hood moulding at ground floor with an adjacent blocked doorway. At first floor are late 20th century timber sash windows, and a carved gilded eagle (the crest of the Lempriere family) perched on a projecting ledge and set into a niche. The gable elevation has a variety of different sized window openings - some with timber and others with metal windows - which contribute to the building’s rather disorderly appearance.
Scenic interest / group value
The building forms the corner of Lempriere Street and Devonshire Lane and is of a scale in keeping with the historic properties in the area.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed 14 Lempriere Street at its meeting on 29 September 2008. Members noted the history of the property and its architectural interest as set out in the Jersey Heritage report. 5 members agreed that the building is of limited architectural interest and does not merit registration. 5 members disagreed and advised that the building should be registered as a BLI arguing that it turns the corner well and is of townscape value. Another member e-mailed following the meeting to vote for registration as BLI based primarily on the building’s group value.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
The Eagle Tavern should not be added to the Register.
Justification relating to criteria
The building is of some historic interest given that it was used as a house in the 19th century and then as a public house and bakery during the 20th century, but it is proposed that the building does not adequately satisfy the published policy guidance for registration as a BLI as follows:
- The Eagle Tavern is not significant for its architectural design or style, decoration and craftsmanship, composition, or use of materials and details sufficient to merit registration:
- The muddled appearance of the Eagle Tavern is of limited scenic value.
Attachments
Assessment form and photographs, May 2008
Plan of site
Board of Trustees
Chairman: Jurat John de Veulle OBE Vice-Chairman: Philip Le Brocq
Rowland Anthony, Geoffrey Crill, Connétable Simon Crowcroft, Blair Gould, Clive Jones, Deputy Carolyn Labey, Paul Nicolle, Jane Stubbs,
Jonathan Voak
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