Sorrento

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey, three structural bay wide Edwardian House. Sand cement render; hipped slated roof; yellow brick chimneys; pvc gutters and downpipes; eaves supported by paired modillions painted white. Imitation quoin stones made from plaster.

Front elevation facing east is longer than most houses of its type with irregularly arranged casement windows at first floor and an unusual arrangement of projecting bays at ground level. The entrance is under a canopy on the southern half of the façade. This joins a central canted projection to a rectangular bay arranged at 45 degrees on the southern corner. The entrance at 90º to the façade is into the central projection. A painted timber column supports the canopy which projects in front of the corner bay. Two pane sash windows light each projection. Those to the central bay have a higher cill. Below, tiles on two raised plaques give the name ‘Sorrento’ and the number ‘60’.

The south elevation is similarly detailed. At first floor two windows: a three pane casement to the front and two pane sash to the rear. At ground floor the corner bay and a door and two pane sash lighting to room to the rear. A modern single storey extension projects from this through the original garden wall. It is finished in sand cement with a manmade slate roof. A greenhouse abuts the garden wall on the house side and appears to be a replacement. An opening with cast iron gate gives access to the back garden.

The original west elevation is largely obscured by the extension. A large 4 pot chimney rises on the centre of the elevation. Windows appear small and irregularly spaced at first floor.

The north elevation has no openings to the front of the house. A single two pane sash is located to the rear at first floor. Three narrow 2 pane casements are at ground floor. One near the centre has a lower cill. A chimney with 2 pots rises from the centre of this façade.

A third chimney stack is located on the ridge at the apex of the southern hip. A rooflight is located centrally.

The building is located in spacious mature grounds with a view of the River Foyle to the east. The entrance gates are of note. In a manner associated with the Arts & Crafts style a single gate is strengthened by a steel tension rod from the bottom corner to a high carving member at the top near the gate post.

Historical information

Built in 1904. First owners Thompson owners of mills of Eglinton. Occupied for a short period (one year) by Sir Basil McFarland during the 1930’s. Foster-Stewart family occupants until 1975. Reportedly donated building to Dr B McDaniel Skin specialist of Altnagelvin Hospital. Present occupants bought house in 1982. Applied for listing in 1994. Addition of ‘granny flat’ and roof repairs 1996.

References

Primary Sources:
O.S. Map 1906 edition Co Londonderry

Secondary Sources:
Present Occupant

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Edwardian merchants villa. Unusually proportioned façade with classical detailing forming a play on the standard villa type. Interior of interest for fine joinery work and arts and crafts atmosphere particularly in the entrance hall. Planning to rear rooms awkward, stained glass not of the highest quality. A compent building in a very creative architectural period. Does not merit listing.