URPoint Details
In 1834, John Lavin a Penzance man bought two cottages in Chapel Street and turned them into premises for his business in maps, stationery and geological specimens. To attract customers to his shop he had the exotic facade erected in 1837.
The building owes a great deal to P F Robinson's Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly built in 1811-12 to house a Museum of Curiosities.
In 1968 the House was acquired by the Landmark Trust which restored and repainted the facade and one of the two ground floor shops is leased to the National Trust.
- Type:
- Landmark