Grade I listed · Ipswich

The Willis Building

The Willis Building is a Grade I listed building in Ipswich, first listed on 25 April 1991. It is one of 11 Grade I entries among 459 listed buildings in Ipswich; 85% of Ipswich’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	The Willis Building
Grade	Grade I — exceptional interest
List entry number	1237417
Date first listed	25 April 1991
Local planning authority	Ipswich
Location	52.05558, 1.15090 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1237417

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Ipswich will require for your works on The Willis Building, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near The Willis Building

Name	Grade	Distance
Unitarian Chapel	I	69 m
Sun Alliance Offices	II	85 m
22, St Nicholas Street	II	89 m
24, St Nicholas Street	II	99 m
18 and 20, St Nicholas Street	II	101 m
16, St Nicholas Street	II	102 m
14a and 14, St Nicholas Street	II	102 m
Church of St Nicholas	II*	104 m
10 and 12, St Nicholas Street	II	106 m
4, St Nicholas Street	II	118 m

Frequently asked questions

Is The Willis Building listed?

Yes. The Willis Building is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1237417, first listed on 25 April 1991. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to The Willis Building?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Ipswich, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.