Bow Chambers, 55 -57 Cross Street

Bow Chambers, in Cross‑street, we do not admire; indeed it is the least satisfactory of Messrs Speakman and Charlesworth’s works. The design is bald and wanting in character, and we much question the propriety, in a constructional sense, of introducing the polished granite shafts as supports for the superstructure, necessitating, as they appear to have done, iron uprights behind. Possibly the architects may have had limited means at their disposal for the production of this building, and if we remember rightly, a fancy price was paid for the small piece of land upon which it stands. We should prefer the use of smaller stones in the front, instead of the ashlar adopted for facing, which is always detrimental to character and texture. [The Critic 15 June 1872 Page 259].

Reference    The Critic 15 June 1872 Page 259
Reference    Reilly CHECK