Royal George House in Monmouth, Wales, is a large Georgian townhouse of c. 1730. Its architectural style is "old-fashioned" for its date, drawing on Carolean models such as Tredegar House. Built as a private residence, in 1800 it was occupied by the commander of the Monmouthshire Militia. In the 19th and 20th centuries the building was a hotel, first the Ivy Bank and then the Royal George. By the 1980s, it was empty and derelict. Restored, and significantly altered internally, in 1985–1987, it was subsequently a nursing home, and as of 2017 it houses commercial offices and residential apartments. It is a Grade II* listed building.
History
The house is early 18th century in date with an historical attribution to 1730.[1] Constructed as a residential townhouse, it was owned in 1800 by the commander of the Monmouthshire Militia.[2] The commander undertook significant remodelling of the house.[1] Later in the century, the house became a hotel, first the Ivy Bank and then the Royal George.[1] It was designated a Grade II* listed building on 27 June 1952.[1] In the 20th century, the hotel closed and the building suffered significant neglect.[2] It was restored 1985–1987, and was used firstly as a nursing home[2] and then as commercial offices[1] and residential apartments.[3] The building’s roof was severely damaged by fire during renovation work in 2021 and is undergoing restoration.[4]
Description
The building is of three storeys, with seven bays under a hipped roof, and was constructed "probably in the 1730s."[5] The building's façade was originally roughcast to imitate masonry and has a modillionedcornice.[6] Designed in a Carolean style, it was out of date for its time.[1]
The architectural historian John Newman, describes the building as "one of the town's finest 18th century houses."[5] The Monmouth historian Keith Kissack noted its Neoclassical interiors of about 1800,[2] introduced when the commander of the Monmouthshire Militia remodelled the house. The renovations were external, as well as internal, Newman comments on the "AdamesqueCorinthiancapitals and Doricfrieze."[5]