51, Marlowes

The building at 51 Marlowes is a shop, originally a house dating from around 1741. It was remodelled in the early 19th century and has a 20th-century ground floor extension. The rear elevation is red brick, while the front is stuccoed. The roof is tiled, concealed behind a low parapet.

The building is square in plan, featuring a pair of semi-circular bow windows to the front. It stands three storeys high. The windows are 3:1:3 sash windows with glazing bars. The first-floor bow windows have bracketed sills, surrounds, friezes, and cornices. A central doorway with an open pediment supported by Corinthian columns is positioned on the ground floor. A single-storey, 20th-century Neo-Georgian projecting shop front is located on the right side, and a two-storey wing, slightly recessed, sits to the left. The interior has not been inspected.

Hemel Hempstead, situated approximately 30 miles northwest of London, has roots dating back to the 8th century. The town received a charter from Henry VIII in 1539 and served as a vital transport hub between London and the Midlands. Extensive bomb damage during World War II led to significant redevelopment in the mid-20th century.

The building is designated at Grade II for its historic and architectural significance. It retains a substantial amount of its original fabric from the mid-18th century and showcases an evolved design, with the twin bow windows indicating multiple stages of development and reflecting contemporary architectural trends.