Troy Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One half of a two storey three structural bay High Victorian villa in redbrick and terracotta. Natural slate roofs, rising pinnacles on top of gables. Three gables presented to front (east) façade. Central gable much smaller and recessed to align with eaves to each side. Door onto balcony below. Main entrance door at ground level aligning. To north of central bay large gable projecting 2m with canted bay at ground level. 2 no. two pane windows above surmounted by an elliptical terracotta panel. Above elliptical pediment on pinnacle projecting above gable. Ball topped finials at eaves level. To south narrow gable projecting 500mm. 2 no. two pane sashes at ground and first floor, each with slight curve to head. Elliptical pediment and ball topped finials above. At corner to south, projecting tower capped by faceted conical roof. Entrance door two leaf panelled mahogany with semicircular fanlight. Pilasters flanking which project forward to support balcony. Windows on outer side of fanlight. 9A is to north and includes entrance door. 9B is to south and includes bedroom over entrance.

On South façade(9B) the building steps towards the rear. A gable with canted bay at ground level projects 500mm from the façade. 2 no. two pane sashes above are surmounted by a terracotta panel. As on main façade there are similar decorations above. Entrance to 9B is through timber glazed porch to south of gable.

Rear façade (west) has the hipped wings of the two halves of the building with the main building between falling to a lower roof. Decoration is much more utilitarian.

To the north (9A) another projecting gable similar to those described above though further to the rear than on the south façade. There is, centrally located, a modern door arrangement rendered with flat roof. This is located below a large stained glass window for the original stair.

The building is located in mature grounds with a large lawn to the east in front of the main façade, a rockery is to the south and a road with planting along the site boundary to the north and west.

Historical information

The only one of a proposed scheme of villas to be built by the Honourable the Irish Society in Troy Park, a development laid out by the company during the 1860’s. Architect for park, Sir William Tite (1798-1873) architect of Royal Exchange in City of London 1842 Thames embankment 1862-70 and Government House Termonbacca for Irish Society in 1846. House constructed in 1897.

References:

Primary Sources
OS Map 1906 Edition Co Londonderry

Secondary Sources
J S Curl – A Dictionary of Architecture, London 1997

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Much detailed high Victorian villa. Interesting for its extensive use of terracotta and reconstituted stone/plaster for cills and other details. A good example of the type well maintained with little major alterations.