sesc
Brummie babby
Hello all, I'm hoping you can help!
I am trying to find out the history of the building now known as Damascena. I understand it was originally a bank, but after hours of searching online, then scouring 18th/19th Century directories, I can't find anything to help me. The only information I can find about banks on Temple Row West is the venue next door - The Old Joint Stock. Yet this building was definitely once a bank as there is a bank vault down in the basement. I am trying to discover the name of the bank it used to be, and when it was established. I did manage to find out that Portman Building Society was housed on 5-7 Temple Row West at one point, and that before the cafe took over it was a hairdressers, but beyond that no more information is available.
I understand the houses on Temple Row were built in 1715. I suppose the buildings on Temple Row West came much later. Knowing what they were when first erected would be helpful. It seems that any building on that stretch of street is overshadowed by the Old Joint Stock, whose history is well-known. Perhaps the two buildings were connected at some point before being separated?
If anyone can shed some light - even general history of what the building was ten, twenty years ago - I would be very grateful!
~ Sue
I am trying to find out the history of the building now known as Damascena. I understand it was originally a bank, but after hours of searching online, then scouring 18th/19th Century directories, I can't find anything to help me. The only information I can find about banks on Temple Row West is the venue next door - The Old Joint Stock. Yet this building was definitely once a bank as there is a bank vault down in the basement. I am trying to discover the name of the bank it used to be, and when it was established. I did manage to find out that Portman Building Society was housed on 5-7 Temple Row West at one point, and that before the cafe took over it was a hairdressers, but beyond that no more information is available.
I understand the houses on Temple Row were built in 1715. I suppose the buildings on Temple Row West came much later. Knowing what they were when first erected would be helpful. It seems that any building on that stretch of street is overshadowed by the Old Joint Stock, whose history is well-known. Perhaps the two buildings were connected at some point before being separated?
If anyone can shed some light - even general history of what the building was ten, twenty years ago - I would be very grateful!
~ Sue
