Regency architecture

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The Regency style of architecture refers primarily to buildings built in Britain during the period in the early 19th century when George IV was still Prince Regent, and also to later buildings following the same style.

The style follows closely on from the neo-classical Georgian Style of architecture, adding an elegance and lightness of touch. Note that the Georgian style takes its name from the four Kings George of the period circa 1720-1840, including King George IV. Many buildings of the Regency style have a white painted stucco facade and an entryway to the main front door (usually coloured black) which is framed by two columns. Regency residences typically are built as terraces or crescents. Elegant wrought iron balconies and bow windows came into fashion as part of this style.

An instigator of this style was John Nash who designed the Regency terraces of Regent's Park and Regent Street in London. Excellent examples of Regency properties dominate Brighton in East Sussex; in particular in its Kemp Town estate. In London itself there are many streets in the style in the areas around Victoria, Pimlico, Mayfair and other central districts. The town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire also provides many fine examples of Regency architecture and makes the claim to be "the most complete regency town in England".

The term Regency style is also applied to interior design of the period, typified by elegant furniture and vertically striped wallpaper, and to styles of clothing; for males, as typified by the dandy Beau Brummell, for women the Empire silhouette.

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Revival styles in 19th-century architecture
Neo-Classicism: Directoire and EmpireRegencyEgyptian RevivalGreek Revival and Neo-Grec
Neo-Romanesque and Byzantine Revival: Richardsonian RomanesqueRusso-ByzantineMuscovite Revival
Gothic Revival: Scottish BaronialTudorbethanMoorish RevivalIndo-Saracenic
Neo-Renaissance: ItalianateSecond EmpireChâteauesqueJacobethan
Neo-Baroque and 18th century: Beaux-ArtsWrenaissanceQueen Anne • Georgian Revival • Colonial Revival