Marven House and forecourt wall and railings

Cadw's description

Location

On the N side of Main Street some 65m W of its junction with East Back.

History

Substantial mid to later C19 terraced house, of similar scale but different in detail to Orielton House (No 74) to right. It may be a recasting of an earlier C19 house, as is Orielton House, but no evidence seen. There is said to be evidence that it was built after Orielton House. Said to have been occupied by manager of Pembroke Savings Bank. Long garden has some massive stone retaining walling half-way down. Part of the Orielton estate, sold in 1857. Occupied in 1926 by Thomas Ford.

Exterior

Terraced house, painted stucco with slate roof , left end rendered stack, right end brick stack, shared with No 74. Tall three-storey, two-window facade offset to right with plain eaves band, string course with incised line between upper floors and moulded projecting course under first floor. Paired plate-glass sashes under single cambered head to upper floors, with painted slate sills. Ground floor has large 2-4-2-pane tripartite sash to right and tall narrow doorway to right with 'Marven House' in overlight. Five stone steps up to door of three panels, the lower one fielded. Rear is outshut to left and has gabled addition to centre.
Front grey limestone rubble low retaining wall to paved basement, with tooled sandstone coping and ornate cast-iron balustrade of pierced cast-iron panels between bulbous cast-iron standards with pointed finials. Panels have a pattern of concentric circles linked by a diagonal cross in a surround of vertical and diagonally crossed bars. Gateposts are similar to standards but with tubular bases. Gate matches railings but with dog bars beneath circle.

Interior

Interior much altered in later C20 conversion to flats, staircase replaced. Panelled hall arch on big later C19 brackets.

Reason for designation

Included for its special architectural interest as a substantial C19 town house with ornate cast-iron railings.