Chester in Cheshire West and Chester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Parker's Buildings

115 Foregate Street, Chester

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 9, 2024

1. Parker's Buildings Marker

Inscription. The first Duke of Westminster (1825-1899) commissioned Parker's Buildings in 1889 as part of his programme of improving housing for the poor. The building was designed by the Cheshire architect, John Douglas (1830-1911) who also designed many other buildings in Chester as well as the Eastgate Clock. Parker's Buildings is now a "listed" building as it is an unusual example of Douglas' work. It is the only block of flats that he designed when flats were just beginning to be used to house city dwellers.

Parker's Buildings was designed to house local "artisans" or workers and their families. Its development and early years were overseen by the Duke's nephew and Land Agent, the Honourable Cecil Parker (1845-1931) after whom the building is probably named.

There are 30 flats consisting of one or two bedrooms. Originally there was a separate communal wash house and no internal bathrooms or toilets but the flats provided a better quality of housing than was generally available at that time. Demand for the new flats was high and the 1891 census shows that 99 people were residents there.

The building was bought by Guinness

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Northern Counties and renovated in 1982 to modern standards.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 53° 11.506′ N, 2° 53.031′ W. Marker is in Chester, England, in Cheshire West and Chester. It is on Foregate Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113-115 Foregate Street, Chester, England CH1 1HE, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Church of St John the Baptist (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); North Eastern Chapel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Heritage Features (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Eastern Ruins (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); South Eastern Chapel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away);

Parker's Buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 9, 2024

2. Parker's Buildings

Ruins of the Church of St John the Baptist (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Chapter House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named The Church of St John the Baptist (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 435 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.