Regent House as at 2018
Historic England
Regent House is a large timber-framed building in Nantwich, Cheshire, probably dating from the late 16th century and built after the Great Fire of 1583. It occupies a bend in the High Street, which follows the outer wall of the Norman Nantwich Castle.[1][2] Built before 1180, the castle was probably located near the present-day Crown Inn; it was last recorded in 1462.[1][3]
High Street was the home of the wealthiest townspeople in the 1580s, and the houses dating from the rebuilding represent the finest examples of post-fire architecture in the town.[4]
Regent House was designated a Grade II listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1948. It is one of several adjoining timber-framed buildings forming a group, each of which is separately listed.[5]
Architecture
The three-storey building has 18th-century sash windows and eight mullioned wood casements. The building was updated in the late 18th century, when the sash windows were added, and its original triangular gables replaced by a section with timber uprights to imitate the parapets of late Georgian townhouses.[1]
The current fenestration of the ground floor shop frontage reflects its variety of uses over the years.[5] In about 1900 Regent House was occupied by the Regent Cycle Stores, and later the cycle manufacturer Raven Cycle Co. It later became a local TV and repair shop, and from 1999, an independent furniture retailer. The building is currently used as a charity shop.[6]