Nr 27 Market Place.
First point is that each architect of the time had a preference for detailing - unless it was a direct interpretation of a classical detail from Vitruvius, Vignola or from Palladio - they each had their 'trademark' details and did not copy each other (largely through a simple matter of the fact that they rarely approved of each other's work). We know that Oliver Caldwell liked to play with details, and formed his own set of order and rules. Nr 27 is such a building that shows his 'latest fad'. Besides the Italianate Romanesque, the form of the plainer windows, with the low arch and the two sets of rosettes, just what is also seen in other buildings in this area. Namely Chirgwin's and when it was enlarged, The National Westminster bank (a grocers when built), and a building at the bottom of The Terrace, now occupied by Rami's. I see some clues that may or may not tie in with another Penzance building, but that remains to be finalised. The elevation of Nr 26 was a continuation of this plainer facade treatment, as can be seen in fragments of elevation in other photographs of the centre of Penzance.
