Hyatt House, Gloucester
| Hyatt House | |
|---|---|
Hyatt House | |
| Location | Gloucester, England |
| Coordinates | 51°52′01″N 2°14′59″W / 51.86707°N 2.24981°W |
Location in Gloucestershire | |
Hyatt House, or Hyett House, is a grade II listed building at 91 Westgate Street in the English city of Gloucester.[1] The building is of a timber frame with stone and was probably constructed in the 16th century. According to a plaque on the building, an earlier dwelling stood on the site at least as early as 1455. The current façade was probably constructed by Nicholas Hyett (1709–1777),[2] a local lawyer and justice of the peace. In 1988 the building was converted to flats by Avondown Housing Association and Gloucester City Council.[3]
History
The origins of Hyett House date back to the 16th century, although the current Georgian structure mostly reflects 18th-century remodelling carried out for the Hyett family, an influential local family with ties to Gloucester’s civic life.[4]
Over the centuries, Hyett House has been associated with prominent figures and merchant families who contributed to Gloucester’s growth as a regional port and market town. It is recognised by the Gloucester Civic Trust as an important surviving example of the city’s Georgian domestic architecture.[5]
Architecture and Features
Hyett House is a three-storey red-brick townhouse with a symmetrical frontage typical of the Georgian style. It features sash windows, classical stone dressings, and an elegant central doorway with a decorative fanlight.[4] The building retains original internal features such as timber panelling, fireplaces, and a finely crafted staircase.
The house forms part of the Westgate Street Conservation Area, contributing to a historic streetscape that includes medieval and Tudor-era buildings alongside Georgian townhouses.[5]
Civic Significance and Conservation
The Gloucester Civic Trust has long championed the conservation of Hyett House, listing it among its key local preservation achievements.[5]
The building is covered by the city’s planning protections for listed structures, and its status is documented in the national planning data service, which tracks listed properties and planning applications affecting them.[6]
Modern Use
Today, Hyett House remains in active community use. It is home to the Gloucester branch of the Vedanta Society, which uses the historic premises for study sessions, meditation groups, and cultural gatherings.[7] This community use helps ensure the building remains occupied, maintained, and relevant to modern Gloucester.
Location and Setting
Hyett House is located near major Gloucester landmarks, including Gloucester Cathedral, the historic city gates, and Westgate Bridge. The house’s presence on Westgate Street places it within one of the city’s key heritage zones, where multiple centuries of architectural development can be traced in a single short walk.[4]
See also
- Gloucester
- Gloucester Cathedral
- Westgate Street, Gloucester
- Grade II* listed buildings in Gloucestershire
References
- ^ Historic England. "HYATT HOUSE (1245237)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- ^ "Two Eighteenth-Century Gloucester Gardens" Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine by M. E. Richards, Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 1981, Vol. 99, pp. 123–126.
- ^ Hyett House. Gloucester Civic Trust. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- ^ a b c "Hyett House". Historic England. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Hyett House – Gloucester Civic Trust". Gloucester Civic Trust. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Hyett House". UK Government Planning Data. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Vedanta Society Gloucester". Vedanta Society. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
External links
- Media related to Westgate Street, Gloucester at Wikimedia Commons