Building record MDO45030 - Weymouth Sanatorium, 19 The Esplanade, Weymouth

A purpose-built sanatorium was constructed in 1867 and is an eclectic mid-late Victorian style, with loose Queen Anne Revival and Italianate influences. It is built of red brick with dressings of either Portland or Bath stone. There are raised, chamfered quoins to the lower floor, which are rusticated above, carrying a boldly projecting heavy cornice on consoles. There are continuous string courses and cill bands to the first and second floors which are moulded on the principal (east) elevation. The windows are sashes with plate glass, all in stone architraves, and there are flat-roofed dormers with 20th century windows. 19 The Esplanade is of three storeys with basements and attics, with three bays to The Esplanade and three bays on the left return facing Belle Vue.It was converted to offices in 1902, and converted to apartments in the late 20th century.

Weymouth Sanatorium was established in 1848 by W. Johnson Smith for the treatment of diseases of women and children. It was originally located in St Thomas Street, but moved to newly-built premises at No.19 The Esplanade in 1867. This building was able to accommodate up to twenty five beds. In 1902 the sanatorium relocated to Westhall Road and the building was sold and converted to offices. It is marked as such on the 1929 and 1939 Ordnance Survey maps. It was then converted to residential apartments in the late 20th century.

The building occupies a prominent corner position at the junction of The Esplanade and Belle Vue, which were both largely laid out in the late 18th century and early 19th century. This purpose-built sanatorium was constructed in 1867 and is an eclectic mid-late Victorian style, with loose Queen Anne Revival and Italianate influences. It is built of red brick with dressings of either Portland or Bath stone. There are raised, chamfered quoins to the lower floor, which are rusticated above, carrying a boldly projecting heavy cornice on consoles. There are continuous string courses and cill bands to the first and second floors which are moulded on the principal (east) elevation. The windows are sashes with plate glass, all in stone architraves, and there are flat-roofed dormers with 20th century windows. 19 The Esplanade is of three storeys with basements and attics, with three bays to The Esplanade and three bays on the left return facing Belle Vue.

Exterior: Symmetrical elevation to the front (The Esplanade); the central bay has a segmental arched entrance in a stone surround with imposts and a vermiculated keystone. There is a recessed late-20th century raised and fielded doorcase and fanlight. Above is a segmental-headed sash window with eared architrave and keystone, carried on cill brackets. The central, second floor window is similar, but has a floating cornice. The outer bays each have a ground floor tripartite window with bracketed cills. Each has moulded, bracketed mullions which support pilastered, three-light canted bays through the first and second floors. Each has a two-pane sash window in each face and terminates with a cornice. The left return to Belle Vue has a tall flat-headed central doorway and pairs of architraved sash windows to the right hand bay, but otherwise is generally as the front although plainer.

Interior: Not inspected.

In assessing later 19th century hospitals and asylums for designation, greater selection is required due to the vast increase in the numbers that were built. Architectural interest, planning and intactness will be crucial considerations. Sanatoria are among the most distinctive hospitals, and can attain great architectural distinction and should be assessed on their own merits, with quality of design being a significant factor. Private sanatoria became increasingly common from the late 19th century. After the 1850s patients increasingly followed a regime of living and sleeping as much in the open air as possible and this former sanatorium has an ideal location in the town: at the southern end of The Esplanade, opposite Alexandra Gardens, and close to the sea - a suitable environment for patients to take the air. In terms of its date, 19 The Esplanade is a relatively early example of a sanatorium, but the building's original function is not reflected in its exterior. Externally it is little altered and has good decorative detailing. However it is not of high-quality craftsmanship, but rather comprises features that were typical for the period; and the architect is not known. Although it has not been possible to inspect the interior, it is likely that the building's conversion to offices in the early 20th century and then to eight residential apartments in the late 20th century will have impacted on the historic plan form. The owner has indicated that some interior walls have been removed and new room partitions added during the building's most recent conversion. As a purpose-built sanatorium, it was probably laid out with a number of private and public rooms with some internal decoration, including fire places. However, we have been informed that there are little in the way of historic internal features: no cornices or fireplaces survive. Several late-19th century sanatoria have been listed, such as the Clifton College Sanatorium, Worcester Road in Bristol; a Gothic building of 1863, designed by Charles Hansom and listed at Grade II; and the former sanatorium of 1866 at Normansfield Hospital in Teddington, Greater London which retains many historic internal features and is listed at Grade II* for its historic interest. In comparison, 19 The Esplanade is a competent design, but is typical for a late-19 building, rather than special in national terms. If further evidence does come to light indicating that 19 The Esplanade retains good quality internal features and more significantly, its historic plan form, then it may be appropriate to reassess the building for listing. That said it does have a strong presence on the streetscape and is an important building in the Melcombe Regis Conservation Area, a designation which more appropriately registers its significance and value within its locality. Regrettably though, 19 The Esplanade falls short of the degree of architectural and historic interest required to make it of special interest on a national level, and therefore does not meet the criteria for designation. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, 166684 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

Adviser's report on case 166684, in file 505649/001.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1492869 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2022 2:18PM