The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 7655 SW KNIGHTRIDER STREET
Maidstone
7/10011 Number 15
II
House, probably with partial industrial use at one time. North range of late mediaeval date with late C16 alterations, west early C17 wing, further extended to the west in the early C19 and with extension to south east of the same period probably originally having some industrial purpose. Timberframed building, with frame partially exposed on south front, mainly covered in weatherboarding but with some stock brick to north front, stuccoed ground floor to north and south fronts. Tiled roofs with brick chimneystacks except to south east wing which is slate. Two storeys, except for three storey south east wing: irregular fenestration, mainly sashes, some with marginal glazing. Roughly L-shaped on plan. North wing originally a 3- bay (probable late mediaeval) open hall with inserted floor and chimneystack, west wing early C17 parlour wing, built out to west and refronted in early C19. Late mediaeval north wing has exposed timberframing on east and south fronts with jowled posts and 4 arched windbraces visible. Ground floor underbuilt in early C19 painted brickwork with 4-light C20 window. Gablet to roof indicates possible smoke hole to original open hall. North front of north wing has gable, off central brick chimneystack of C19 brickwork to late C16 inserted chimney and C19 sashes. West front has three gables of early C19 date with steeply pitched earlier roof behind. First floor is weatherboarded with three earlyC1916-pane sashes and ground floor has right side canted bay, left side marginal-glazed sash with coloured glass. floral paterae and lion's head masks and central double doorcase with marginal glazed rectangular fanlights. South front of west wing is of two bays with right side gable with covered wooden bressumer below and windows blocked at time of inspection. At the south eastern corner is a three storey one bay early C19 extension mainly weatherboarded with slate roof, one casement window and first floor door, probably having an industrial use originally. INTERIOR: North wing has exposed frame, ground floor has moulded spine beam and large fireplace opening which now contains C20 fireplace but the original late C16 inserted fireplace may survive behind First floor central bay has jowled post and chamfered beams with lambs tongue stops. Corner room has exposed floor joists with chamfers and triangular stops. Roof has winder staircase reached through plank door and top of original brick chimneystack. Roof has purlins and principal rafters. West wing has C17 roof and central room has an early C17 ceiling with chamfered beams and lambs tongue stops and two upright posts to spine beam with zigzag decoration and C17 plank door. Ground floor has early C17 plank and muntin panelling to corridor and there are newel steps to a basement. At the junction of the two wings is an early C19 well staircase with stick balusters and column newel posts and round-headed window with y-bracing, blocked at time of survey.
Listing NGR: TQ7620755361

Historic building survey in June 2002 found that no. 15 originated as a rear detached service building, possibly a detached kitchen, to a now destroyed medieval house which formerly occupied the street frontage. The building was greatly modified over several centuries and by the C19th (at the latest) had become a separate property in its own right. (1)

See also TQ 75 NE 298, archaeology recorded at rear of property.

Revised Architectural assessment and interpretation of building in 2004 report. Detailed description of various phases. Earliest remains indicate a rectangular structure aligned North-South and having ground floor walls of Ragstone which supported massive first-floor joists some of which survive in situ. The date of this structure remains unknown but pre-dated the late C15th and could have been as early as C14th or C14th. Late in C15th the upper storey of Phase 1 range was removed and prelaced by a a new four bay timber-framed structure incorporating 2 rooms - a single bay northern ante-chamber and a 3-bay first floor hall or function room. A 2-storeyed porch-like wing was built to the west, which was entirely timber framed. Two alterations in C16th - style suggests that they were carried out during the second or third quarter of that century. Changes included inserting ceilings into the 2 first floor rooms of the main range (which had previously been open to the roof) and a new centrally placed projecting window within the northern end wall of the northern chamber. Major changes in the C17th including the chimney and fireplace. In the kitchen area the north wall was rebuilt and a low-walled eastern range added with a first floor chamber accessed direct from the kitchen chamber. Soon afterwards, still in the C17th, the main block was squared-up by adding extension to the north and south of the 'porch' wing and adding 3 symmetrical gables. The 'function room' was reduced to 2 bays by dividing off the nrothern bay so as to form a new landing for the revised staircase and an enlarged porch chamber. Roof Areas modified and a cellar intruded beneath the S-E corner of the complex. Two alterations in late C18th or very early C19th - small extension was built and the interior of the building was updated - a new grand staircase was added and chimney was added against the west elevation.

Between 1823 and 1843 a 3-storeyed addition was built between the stair turret and the main range.

Since then a single-storeyed structure to the south of the eastern range and the infilling areas between the kitchen range and the rnage by a single storeyed link. (2)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2002, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Historic Building Survey of 15 Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE13223.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2004, Revised architectural assessment and interpretation of 15 Knightrider Street, Maidstone. (Unpublished document). SKE13476.