The 'Regency style' of
architecture refers primarily to buildings built in
Britain during the period in the early
19th century when
George IV was still
Prince Regent, and also to later buildings following the same style.
The style follows closely on from the neo-classical
Georgian Style of architecture, adding an elegance and lightness of touch. Note that the Georgian style takes its name from the four Kings George of the period circa 1720-1840, including King George IV. Many buildings of the Regency style have a white painted stucco facade and an entryway to the main front door (usually coloured black) which is framed by two columns. Regency residences typically are built as terraces or crescents. Elegant wrought iron balconies and bow windows came into fashion as part of this style.
An instigator of this style was
John Nash who designed the Regency terraces of
Regent's Park and
Regent Street in
London. Excellent examples of Regency properties dominate
Brighton in
East Sussex; in particular in its
Kemp Town estate. In
London itself there are many streets in the style in the areas around Victoria,
Pimlico,
Mayfair and other central districts. The town of
Cheltenham in
Gloucestershire also provides many fine examples of Regency architecture and makes the claim to be "the most complete regency town in England".
Royal Leamington Spa in
Warwickshire also provides some fine examples of the Regency style, including parts of The Parade, Clarendon Square and Landsdowne Circus.
The term ''Regency style'' is also applied to interior design of the period, typified by elegant furniture and vertically striped wallpaper, and to styles of clothing; for males, as typified by the dandy
Beau Brummell, for women the
Empire silhouette.
See also
★
Empire (style)
External links
★
Regency Society, a
Brighton & Hove group promoting preservation of Regency architecture
★
Regency style in furniture
★
Regency Classicism Style Guide