National Westminster Bank

HERTFORD

TL3212NE FORE STREET 817-1/17/85 (South side) 12/04/73 Nos.102 AND 104 National Westminster Bank

GV II

Bank. Late C19. Yellow ashlar sandstone front, with red and yellow brick rear outshuts, and Welsh slated roofs concealed by front parapet. Free Rhenish Renaissance style. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, 5-bay front with entablature at first-floor level, cornice breaking forward over ground floor pilasters and across centre bay, where it is carried on carved consoles. Main entablature above, first-floor windows with panelled fascia, dentil frieze, and cornice which breaks forward for centre bay, supported on carved brackets and modillions. First floor has banded modified Corinthian style pilasters at left and right, and flanking central bay. Coupled windows, left and right straddling bay divisions, are plain glazed casements each with upper transom light, recessed with surround of pilasters on panelled plinths, separated by a similar attached column on plinths. These support an entablature with panelled fascia, and broad segmental pediment, with half globes raised on cartouches, flanked by carved foliated scrollwork. Small casement in central bay, recessed in moulded eared architrave surround, with small carved volutes at base. Ground floor has 4 round arched windows, with large central light, and margins, recessed within surrounds with attached banded columns, moulded archivolts and carved console keyblocks. There are panelled spandrels around arch, and below sills. Main bay divisions with panelled pilasters. Central doorway, twin leaf hardwood panelled doors with semicircular wrought-iron fanlight within Serliana surround with arched side niches, flanked by attached Corinthian-derived colonnettes, raised on panelled plinths. Door raised on stone steps, with plain offset plinth across building corresponding with ground-floor level. Rear outshuts much altered and of little interest. INTERIOR: of banking hall completely remodelled. Upper floors not inspected.

Listing NGR: TL3281012611