1 Bridge Street
Text: Chester City Council
After the Eastgate Clock, the picturesque group of black and white buildings at The Cross are Chester's best known and most photographed buildings.
Despite their Tudor appearance, they actually date from 1888 and typify the Victorian vernacular revival style of architectute, which transformed the appearance of Chester in the second half of the 19th century.
1 Bridge Street on the corner with Eastgate Street was built by the architect T M Lockwood for Chester Corporation. His bold black and white composition, with characteristic domed turret, replaced a timber-framed building which incorporated the 16th century cistern. 
Water from springs at Boughton was piped through a conduit to the cistern, which was originally raised above street level with shops or stalls below it.
At the same time, Lockwood built 2 Eastgate Street for the Duke of Westminster, completing the corner group. This was entirely different in height and scale; a four storeyed gabled structure with a massive stone chimney, towering above the street.