36 Catherine Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three storey two bay brick house in the Georgian style, which faces north west onto Catherine Street. Part of a group of two with number 38 (HB02/12/022A) which are symmetrical about their junction. Natural slate roof with ‘velux’ type rooflight and rendered chimney shared with taller number 34 (HB02/12/024) to the north east. Windows twelve pane sliding sashes with painted stone cills on two upper floors. Cill to first floor extends as string course across the two buildings. Entrance door with plain segmental fanlight is located at south west end of facade. It has a simple rendered rectangular surround. Upper part of door is glazed. Remains of bell pull painted over to south west side. The single ground floor window contains a pair of sashes.

To the rear the building is rendered and painted and has a mansard roof in natural slate with velux roof lights. Twelve pane sash windows are protected by bars at first floor. A sand cement rendered return of two stories with a mono pitch roof sits out. A flat roofed extension fills the space to one side. Modern windows are barred.

At the back of the site is the renovated coach house with a large opening to the courtyard across the whole facade.

Historical information

A building shown on this site on 1831 town map. The Griffith Valuation of 1858 confirms that this was not the present house as its value is quite low at £4.00. (The presently smaller two storey houses to the south west were valued at £6.00). The building first appears on the 1907 survey. Its deeds date from 1899 when it was owned by Mr Michael Keen French founding partner of Mark King French and Ingram solicitors (still of Catherine Street) who at the time owned much of the terrace (38 to 44 at least) and had deeds for the row drawn up.

The building was lived in as a private house until 1986. It was renovated in the early 80s by its occupant Mr Gerry Loughery who converted the stable block for his architectural practice before moving it to 16 Main Street (HB02/12/006B). The solicitors, who have owned the building since 1986 are in the process of having plans approved for a two to three storey rear extension. Architect; Dickson McDonald.

References:
Primary Sources:
OS Map 'Newtown Limavady' enlarged from 1st Edition Map (1831) PRONI: Val 2D/5/4 & T2933/4/126
OS Map 'Newtown Limavady' (1848 revision with notes of 1858 valuation) PRONI: 058/120/1/1 & T2933/3/140
OS Map ' Town of Limavady' (1895) PRONI:Val 2D/5/4 & 293/4/261
OS Map ' Town of Limavady' (1907) PRONI:058/120/2/3
Griffiths Valuation 1858
Deed (held by solicitors next door in number 34)

Secondary Sources
D Girvan, 'The Buildings of north Derry' UAHS 1975 p14
Deed (held by occupiers)
Occupant (1997)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Late Victorian terraced house in the Georgian style, which compliments the taller terrace adjoining both in style and in townscape as it provides an appropriate step down with its twin from the large early Victorian buildings to the much smaller two storey terrace. Well preserved externally, it contributes to the architectural quality of Catherine Street.