Marble-fronted, Beaux-Arts Post Office with central, three-bay, Corinthian-order portico with central pediment, set between lower, three-bay, Doric porticoes, all with balustraded parapets and coffered bronze ceilings, and built in front of ashlar wall of two-storey building (housing three doors) and with dentilled and modillioned upper metal cornice (and hidden gutter) under battened, copper, hip roof (1913-15). This remarkable marble building, reportedly modelled on the Government House in Havana, pays tribute to the Greek Temple. Just as much in Main Street derives from the Renaissance and Classical world, or European fortified architecture, this building in particular, in material, form and detail, makes reference to ancient Greece.

Description - Central bay of tall, three-bay portico breaks forward on paired, Corinthian columns built off tall plinths. Recessed, adjacent bays have columns in antis between square-section piers of same order, also set on tall plinths. Full Corinthian entablature above breaks forward at central bay, and similar cornice, having vertical modillions and dentils, frames pitches at blank central pediment. Pediment is built against ashlar plinth having projecting, moulded coping with bevelled stone cap above. Balustrades at either side of plinth extend to corner piers with four-sided, pedimented, copes and, in parallel with entablature below, return back at either side of main portico to building face. Corinthian entablature and balustrade extend along upper façade of building to north and south corners, ending at small, pedimented piers. Lower, three-bay, lateral porticoes are built against, and set back from corner piers at either of side main portico, suggesting Propylaia (i.e. gateways to a sacred precinct). Single Doric columns throughout, including at returns to north and south, are built off continuous masonry plinth, with full Doric entablature (although without metopes) above. Balustrades (as at upper parapet) extend between columns at ground floor level, and exist also between piers at flat-roof above. Three flights of granite steps rise from small forecourt into central portico, beyond which additional flight of granite step rises to pair of bronze, panelled doors under wrought-iron transom grill and ornate cornice on scroll-type brackets.

North Elevation – Side elevation comprises various elements, most of which were not intended to be seen, but which nonetheless appeal to the contemporary viewer. At LH side, two-bay return of north, Doric, marble portico is now exposed (following demolition of older building to the north) including plinth, and lower and upper balustrades. Adjacent main block, Corinthian-order cornice returns along side of pilaster, into marble quoins, and back into face of north wall. Masonry to west of quoins is of buff-brick built over concrete plinth on local, rubble foundation. Only ornamental feature is simplified, high-level, sheet-metal, Corinthian cornice (with plain modillions) which extends beyond large window to main stair within. Main block has hipped copper roof as at front elevation, with unusual sheet-metal cornice (perhaps a gutter?) extending to plain brick parapet to west. All windows have concrete sills, and majority have brick, segmental-arch heads, aside from hidden, steel lintel at staircase window and concrete lintel at adjacent window to west. Ground–floor fenestration is typically tall, 1/1 windows and transom windows (all behind three-sash metal storms). Large window to stair has three tall, lower and three smaller, upper sashes, and filled with stained glass (and behind discreet, exterior double-glazing). Windows elsewhere at top floor are 1/1 (with metal typical storms).

Comments – This fabulous building is generally in excellent condition, though there is much evidence of earlier movement at north portico, east parapet and, to a lesser extent, in similar location at south portico. This presumably relates to former ingress of water, a problem which has been remedied, but obviously such potential problems need to be monitored most carefully in this structure, with its unprotected marble copings at the porticoes. Bronze of front doors is curiously stained and seems in need of re-patinating. At north wall, lower edge of cornice return seems detached from masonry and may indicate problems with armatures behind. (South wall was not examined.) Different metal cornice beyond, which may well house a gutter, has rust holes at face which should be repaired. Underside of cornice further to west seems dislodged and this should be checked; and recent downspouts are inappropriate