Record Details

NHER Number:26206
Type of record:Building
Name:8, Surrey Street (former Norwich Union Office)

Summary

This office was built in 1903-04 by G. J. Skipper from Clipsham stone. It is set back from the street line with single-storey projecting wings. It was designed in a Neo-Baroque style and has an extremely fine marbled interior and panelled boardroom. 16th century glass from Surrey House is incorporatd in the former solicitor's office on the first floor.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TG 23055 08148
Map Sheet:TG20NW
Parish:NORWICH, NORWICH, NORFOLK

Full description

Former Norwich Union Offices.

June 1972. Listed, Grade I.
Main building listed Grade I.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Office, 1903-04 by G. J. Skipper. Clipsham stone. Roof not visible. Set back from street line with single-storey projecting wings. Neo-Baroque style. Two storeys outer bays and three storeys centre bays. Five bays A:B:B:B:A.
Extremely fine marbled interior and panelled boardroom."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 January 2017. Amended by P. Beers (HES), 17 March 2020.

April 1986. Listed, Grade II.
Forecourt wall and balustrade.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Forecourt wall, 1904 by G. J. Skipper. Clipsham stone. Columns with urns at each end. Four piers, each with bronzed lamp standard and torch shade are flanked by a balustrade."
Information from (S13).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S13) for the current listing details.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 January 2007. Amended by P. Beers (HES), 17 March 2020.

Described in (S2) as "…one of the country's most convinced Edwardian office buildings".
For further details see press cuttings (S3)-(S7) and miscellaneous material in file.
T. Sunley (NLA) 25 October 2007. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 January 2017.

2008.
Selected as one of the 'Norwich 12' by Norwich HEART.
Described as one of the most elegant and opulent Edwardian office buildings in Britain. Erected on the site of the house of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517-1547), it is a Grade I listed building. It was designed by local architect George Skipper as the new headquarters for The Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, now Aviva. The main hall (known as Marble Hall) is magnificent - it incorporates over 15 types of marble, originally destined for Westminster Cathedral. The hall has a spectacular glass-domed ceiling, of around 11m in diameter and contains an innovative Edwardian air conditioning system.
Information from (S8) and (S9). See also newspaper articles (S10)-(S12).
D. Gurney (NLA), 27 January 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 January 2017.

Monument Types

  • OFFICE (Early 20th Century to 21st Century - 1903 AD to 2100 AD)

Associated Finds

  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • STAINED GLASS (WINDOW) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • Listed Building
  • Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 20 NW 105.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2012. Look up and admire the man. 21 December.
<S1>Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1210553.
<S2>Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 308; Pl 110.
<S3>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991. Famous marble hall closed for restoration. 1 June.
<S4>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1996. Welcome to the palace of insurance. 6 January.
<S5>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1997. Visions of power. 10 September.
<S6>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2000. [Article on the Sir Samuel Bignold statue at 8 Surrey Street]. 22 December.
<S7>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2003. New life for old hall. 21 February.
<S8>Publication: Sheehan, B.. 2008. Norwich 12: A journey through the English city..
<S9>Moving Image: Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART). 2008. Norwich 12. A journey through the English city.. DVD.
<S10>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2010. The Norwich 12. 2 February.
<S11>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2010. Wander your way through 1,000 years of city history. 24 June.
<S12>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2011. Norwich: A city of Heritage. 1 September.
<S13>Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1372498.

Related records

Site 880Parent of: 22-24 All Saints Green (Monument)
Mon 1102Part of: Surrey Street (Monument)

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