2 And 4, Parliament Square

HERTFORD

TL3212NE PARLIAMENT SQUARE 817-1/17/153 (North side) 12/04/73 Nos.2 AND 4

GV II

Shop with dwelling over, now offices (unoccupied at time of inspection). c1840. Yellow stock brick with stucco front, Welsh slated roof behind parapet. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and basement, with 2-storey wing and carriageway to left, the latter shared with No.6 (qv). First floor has two large windows, timber triple sashes with single horizontal bars, recessed in pilaster surround with frieze and cornice above, all below plat band. 2 smaller second floor timber sashes with glazing bars, recessed, with moulded architrave surrounds, and plain outer surrounds lining through with first-floor windows and breaking front of elevation, and of moulded cornice and blocking course above. Ground floor has 5 unequal bays divided by Tuscan antae. Recessed doorways at left and right flanked by antae. Door to left is C20, of 6 panel form, set in architrave surround with fanlight above, with 3 stone steps. Door to right is 4-panelled,and set in slender surround, with fanlight above, and shallower recess. Shopfront with central recessed entrance, flanked by slimmer Tuscan antae. Panelled door, now disused with architrave surround. Shop windows have timber-frames and plate glass above stallrisers with recessed vents to basement. 2-storey wing on left with carriageway on ground floor having twin leaf patterned doors with trellis infill to open upper panels. First floor recessed timber sash window with glazing bars, plat band and blocking course above, lining through with No.6 (qv) further west. Side and rear elevations are of yellow stock brick. INTERIOR: large former shop at front, C20 corridor at right leads to rear hall with dogleg plan main staircase, with semicircular landings, open string construction, with stick balusters, handrail terminating in wreathed handrail and column baluster. First-floor rooms have mid C19 moulded plaster cornice with reeded band, 6-panel doors, with scotia mouldings, fire surrounds with carved consoles and roll mouldings with paterae. Basement has brick floor and walls, with former washhouse/scullery having fireplace with cast-iron grate and remains of wash boiler, strong room with Chubb safe and former kitchen at front. Subdivision into two with separate stairs

indicate possible 2 units or independent use of shop. (Hope Bagenal: The Georgian and Post Georgian Buildings of Hertford: 1929-: 17-18).

Listing NGR: TL3260912563