Was it the allure of neo-Gothic architecture or the whispers of history that drew you here? This is Friars’ Building. It stands as a testament to Queens’ College’s growth in the 19th century. The need for more student accommodation became pressing. So the President’s second garden was chosen as the site. That garden is now called Friars’ Court.
Construction of Friars’ Building began in 1886. William Milner Fawcett was the architect. Rattee and Kett a Cambridge building contractor completed the work.
Friars’ Building embraced the neo-Gothic style. Red brick and stone relief were used. The intent was to mirror the style of the 1448 buildings of Old Court. Those buildings faced Friars’ Building before the Chapel was built between them.
Originally Friars’ Building featured four staircases. They were named M, N, O, and P. Each staircase had four storeys. Each storey had two sets. This made for 32 sets in total. Each set included a living room facing south. This offered views over the court. A bedroom faced north towards King’s College. A small lobby led from the staircase landing. The contract drawing even shows one set. It was on the first floor of staircase M. It was intended for a Fellow.
However not everyone appreciated Friars’ Building. One critic writing in The Cambridge Review in 1889 found it an eyesore. They criticized its want of proportion. The erection of Erasmus Building in 1959 later blocked that offending view.
Over the years Friars’ Building has seen changes. Initially a bath and WC were squeezed into a former gyp-room on the attic storey of each staircase. Before this the only facilities were external earth-closets.
In the early 1950s further alterations occurred. The ground, first, and second floors were subdivided. Each set became two study-bedrooms. This increased the building’s capacity to 56. The entry lobby was removed. The dividing wall was moved southward. This enlarged the former bedroom. Both new rooms were given doors directly to the landing. They were also equipped with fitted furniture. This included a hand wash-basin.
In 1980 one study-bedroom on the ground floor of each staircase was converted. It became showers, WCs and baths. Today Friars’ Building accommodates 52 students.
Modernization continued into the 21st century. Between 2003 and 2007 the gyp-rooms were modernized and refitted. The solid gyp-room doors were fitted with glass panels. All bedroom doors had their fire rating upgraded.
In 2010 the building was re-roofed. Fabric repairs, thermal insulation, and lightning protection were added. By 2013 secondary glazing was fitted to every residential room’s windows.
The name Friars’ comes from the site’s history. It was once a Carmelite monastery. King Henry VIII later suppressed it. Queens’ acquired this land in 1544. It became a second garden for the President.
During the erection of Friars’ human remains were discovered. These were from burials in and around the Carmelite chapel. According to recollections thirteen skeletons plus a horse’s skull were dug up.
Today Friars’ Building stands as a blend of history and modern student life. It provides medium-sized study-bedrooms with fitted furniture and washbasins. Each staircase landing typically has four rooms. Showers and WCs are on the ground and third floors. Gyp rooms or kitchens are on all floors. So next time you pass consider the layers of history beneath your feet. Think of the monks. Think of the students who have called this place home.