107 St Aldate’s Oxford

In March 2014, Mr Zeshan Shah commissioned Oxford Archaeology to undertake a
programme of historic building recording and subsequent watching brief during work
to repair and convert the first and second floors of 107 St Aldate's to residential
accommodation. Following a hiatus in the work and a planning application to alter
the conversion plans to allow for boutique hotel accommodation, the programme of
recording work was completed in May 2015.
Substantial research carried out by the Oxfordshire Buildings Record and BSA
Heritage for previous phases of the project revealed that the current building
originates in a timber and stone structure built by Thomas Smith in 1594; two stone
fireplaces are extant from the original construction.
The building displays numerous phases of alteration and extension as the businesses
which occupied it developed and expanded and eventually the building become a late
follower of the fashion for a new façade to disguise the timber-framed building
behind, followed by the addition of a splayed entrance in order to display goods and
services.
The building’s significance lies in its development and character, rather than its
architectural appearance: still marking the medieval burgage plot, the building's
evidence of combination and division from the inn to the north and the later
acquisition of land and buildings to the rear records the diverse history as a base for
local businesses with Oxford City Centre.