NUMBERS 43, 45 AND 47 ROW

Numbers 43, 45 and 47 Ridge Street Row East comprises a neo-Jacobean style brick building designed by Edward Hodkinson and erected in 1864 for the landowner, the second Marquis of Westminster. Hodkinson contributed to the developing Chester Vernacular Revival style in the mid-19th century and was a strong advocate for the restoration of historic buildings to their original design. A member of the Chester Archaeological Society and later its Honorary Librarian and Curator, he was also responsible for rebuilding number 13 Bridge Street and 15 Bridge Street Row East and 31, 33 and 35 Bridge Street, 37 and 39 Bridge Street Row East which, less than fifty years later, was replaced by William Thomas Lockwood's St Michael's Arcade. Number 43-47 Bridge Street Row was erected over medieval undercrofts, one of which includes the remains of 2nd century AD Roman baths, which have separate entries on the National Heritage List for England.

Initially there were three Row shops, all of which were in separate occupancy to those in the undercroft, and the upper floors provided accommodation. In 2023, the Row level was occupied by one large and one small retail shop with storage in the floors above. The building is constructed of brown brick with blue diaper pattern and stone-dressings. It has a grey slate roof with its ridge parallel with the street.

The listing entry relates to the Row storey and two upper storeys, which form three symmetrical units.

The Row front has brick end-piers and a cast-iron railing with a bottom rail, spirally moulded balusters, a top rail and ornate spearheads. There are two cast-iron intermediate columns with patterned plinths and strapwork on their shafts. A sloped stallboard, measuring 1.8 metres front to back, is boarded to numbers 43 and 45, and covered to 47. The Row walkway is boarded to numbers 43 and 45, and 47 has concrete flags. There are two modern shopfronts. A rear passage at the south end leads to numbers 45A, 45B and 47A Bridge Street Row. The Row has a plaster ceiling and a plain wood-faced bressumer to the Row front.

The brick third and fourth storeys have recessed two-pane sash windows with moulded stone sills and segmental blue brick arches. There are three triple sashes to the third storey and three dual sashes to the fourth storey. There is a central gable with a smaller gable to each side, each stone-dressed and having kneelers, rectangular side-projections, coping and a stumpy octagonal finial.

The rear face appears to be constructed in two phases. Numbers 43 and 45 are under a wide gable which projects beyond the gable of number 47.