Planning approval was given on 9th August 1954 for the construction of a block of 3 lock up shops on the ground floor and office accommodation over. The architects were Alec French & partners of Bristol who were responsible for other Pearl Assurance buildings elsewhere including those in Plymouth and Swansea. The Pearl Loan Company had been founded in London in 1857, changing its name to The Pearl Assurance Company in 1914 and was an important insurance company throughout the UK during the 20th century. Its construction of a major building in Pontypool in the post war years reflects the development and rebuilding in the South East valleys in this period. The building was purchased by the current owners in December 1993 and until 2018 was tenanted by Torfaen County Borough Council.  

The neo-classical style 3 storey building has a stone façade to a brick building with a parapet roof. The ground floor has 3 separate shop units and the main two floors of office accommodation above has two continuous bands of Crittal glazing, wide 3 pane windows with plain vertical bands in between. ‘PEARL ASSURANCE HOUSE’ in raised lettering above. The entrance on the ground floor has double doors with a raised granite surround, 3 steps and plinth and ‘PEARL ASSURANCE HOUSE’ over. Above is tall stair window of vertical glazing with raised surround and balcony railing.  

Internally there is a narrow open well stair of polished stone with metal handrail and U-form flat bar balusters. Wall tiles, lighting and other fittings remain.

Reference: Cadw listed building description.

RCAHMW, 2023.