155–158 North Street, Brighton

This stone structure on North Street in Brighton features six window bays and a chamfered corner entrance bay topped by a slate roof with dormer windows. Decorative keystones line the facade, and the overall design follows Neoclassical proportions and detailing.

The building was designed by Clayton & Black between 1921 and 1923 as a branch of the National Provincial Bank. It replaced earlier shops on the site and remained a banking establishment until its conversion to a pub in 2010.

The facade displays ornate stone carvings of zodiac signs that reflect the refined image the bank aimed to project when it opened. These decorative details show how important it was to create an impression of stability and sophistication for customers passing by.

The building sits on a main street in the city center and is easy to reach on foot, with entrances accessible from both the street frontage and the corner. Today it operates as a pub and visitors can enter freely during standard opening hours.

The zodiac sign carvings are uncommon for bank buildings in Britain and suggest the architects made a deliberate choice to emphasize the structure through classical symbolism. These astrological motifs give the building an artistic refinement that goes beyond typical banking architecture.

Location: Brighton and Hove

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 50.82300,-0.14030

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47