The Royal Naval Club, Portsmouth
The Royal Naval Club was lately established at Portsmouth for the accommodation of the officers of the naval service, Mr. J. Wallace Hoare being honorary secretary to this institution. It occupies the building formerly belonging to Messrs. Atkins and Son, bankers, and more recently to the Hampshire Banking Company, in Green-row. The premises have been remodelled under the supervision of Mr. Absalom, of Southsea, as builder and architect. The front elevation abutting on Green-row is of an ornamental character, having a recessed doorway of stone, with a balcony above. The moulded jambs are enriched with sculptured aquatic plants and other appropriate ornamentation; the key-stone, with the arms or insignia of the club—a foul anchor and Roman naval crown, in high relief. The front of the main building is of grey glazed brickwork, with red dressings to the windows above the balcony, surmounted with a stone moulded and consolled cornice. At the west end of the basement is an entrance for servants and tradesmen. On the ground floor are a handsome hall and vestibule of ample dimensions, with entrance from Green-row at the east end of the main building; coffee or dining room, about 35 ft.. by 19 ft. 6 in., lighted from Green-row and facing towards the Governor's-green; steward's office and stores, servants' hall, kitchen, and scullery, and other offices. On the first floor is a handsome reading or drawing room, similar in size to the coffee-room, lighted from Green-row, with access to a stone balcony, giving views of the Solent, Governor's-green, the Lines, and Southsea Esplanade, a verandah above screening the drawing-room windows from the excessive glare of the sun at this aspect. The secretary's room, adjoining, over the principal entrance, has an access to separate balcony, with similar prospect. The writing-room, also adjoining, opens from west end of drawing-room, with separate access from staircase and passage. The lavatory and other offices are the same as on the ground floor. There is a servants' bed-room, and separate staircase thereto; three dressing-rooms and a bath-room, with access from main stair-case, above the servants' hall and stores. On the second floor is the billiard-room, 25ft. by 19ft. 6in., lighted and ventilated from lofty lantern sashes above, in addition to the windows in principal front, the view from which commands the Solent from Cowes to Selsea Bill, the common, the Lines, and garrison chapel. The smoking-room, adjoining, is similarly lighted and ventilated. There is a doorway on the landing to the lead flat, balustraded, and to open observatory above the roof of main building. The servants' bed-rooms are in the rear. The basement contains the pantry, larder, wine and beer cellars, accessible only from the steward's. offices. At the west end are steps from servants' entrance, coalcellar, and stairs to kitchen. The building has been furnished by Messrs. Wendover, of Hanover-street.
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, March 6, 1869, p.233
The Royal Naval Club, Portsmouth
