It was built in 1652 to 1656, extended in the 19th century and restored 1961 by Donald Insall. The foundations of a bastion of the City Wall were revealed during restoration.[1] It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[2]
The almshouse was one of the first buildings in King Street, a new development then outside the city wall and beside the "Back Street Gate".[3]
The building was damaged during the Bristol Blitz and now presents only a facade to the street. It no longer serves the homeless as it did in previous centuries. It is now student accommodation.