Nonsuch House's southern front only stood perfectly unconnected with other buildings, and was entirely free and unobstructed for about fifty-six feet in front, giving the appearance of a large building projecting beyond the bridge on either side. At each extremity was a square tower crowned by short domes or Kremlin spires, whilst an antiquely carved gable arose on each centre.
The whole of the front was ornamented with a profusion of transom casement windows with carved wooden galleries before them and richly sculptured panels and gilded columns were to be found in every part of it.
The thoroughfare was carried through this building in the form of an archway. The Bridge shops had signs, and were "furnished with all manner of trades."
Holbein is said to have lived in the house, as did also Herbert, the print seller, at the time the houses were taken down. On the first night Herbert spent here, a dreadful fire took place on the banks of the Thames, which gave him the idea of a floating fire engine, soon after adopted.