King's House, Hope Road, Jamaica W1. South-west aspect, Ball Room and West Front. Source: National Archives UK, UKCO 1069-369-21 (no known copyright restrictions). Designed by Charles Nicholson (1867-1949) and Hubert Christian Corlette (1869-1956), whose partnership had been formed in 1895. The complex was opened in 1908. This replaced the earlier Governor's residence on the site, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1907.
South-east aspect, Ball Room and South Front. Source: National Archives, UK UKCO 1069-369-24 (no known copyright restrictions).
Listed in his obituary in the Builder as being among Nicholson's "[m]ore important works," this government building too was almost immediately damaged: a fire destroyed "a coach house, the stables and some of the menservants’ rooms" ("History of King's House"). However, these were quickly rebuilt and the appearance of the original house as designed by Nicholson and Corlette has been maintained ever since: "The present King’s House has a very similar structural appearance to the house after reconstruction in 1907" ("History of King's House").
South elevation as a whole, as it appeared in Academy Architecture Vol. 36 (190): 38.
Alexander Gray calls this an "early example of reinforced concrete in the reconstruction of government buildings" (274). Note that although the design is credited to the partnership, Gray tells us that "Charles Nicholson was a great draughtsman ... and designed most of his work himself" (273).
Related Material
Bibliography
De Lisser, H. G. Twentieth Century Jamaica. Kingston: The Jamaica Times, 1913. Internet Archive, from a copy in Robarts — University of Toronto. Web. 7 May 2026.
Gray, Alexander Stuart. Edwardian Architecture: A Biographical Dictionary. London: Duckworth, 1985.
"History of King's House." The Office of the Governor-Gemeral of Jamaica. Web. 10 May 2026. https://kingshouse.gov.jm/history-of-kings-house/
1482. King's House, Kingston, Jamaica. Academy Architecture and Architectural Review Vol. 36 (1909). Internet Archive. Web. 7 May 2026.
King's House, Jamaica. The National Archives. Web. 10 May 2026.
Obituary. The Builder Vol. 176 (11 March 1949): 300. Internet Archive. Web. 7 May 2026.
Created 10 May 2026