10a Blackrock Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached multi-bay two-storey with attic rendered house, built c.1910, split into two units c.1930 (10a to the upper level and 10b to the lower level HB03/10/066B). Square on plan facing north and set on a steeply sloping coastal site overlooking the sea with vehicular access to the rear.

Hipped artificial slate roof with synthetic ridge tiles and two rendered chimneystacks having terracotta pots. Steel rainwater goods to boxed eaves. Painted rendered walling. Square-headed window openings with simple lugged rendered surrounds, keystones and 2/2 timber sash windows.

Symmetrical north front elevation is three windows wide with a large central dormer having paired windows. The lower windows are diminished in size.

East side elevation has irregular fenestration, abutted by a flight of concrete steps and elevated glazed porch to the upper level on reinforced concrete piers. Off-centre dormer window to the roof and a further door opening at the lower level with glazed timber door.

Symmetrical rear elevation on split level with central dormer as per front elevation. The Blackrock Road loops around to the rear of the group of houses at the upper level with a concrete parking area to the right and steps to a sunken yard to the left.

West side elevation is abutted by a further glazed entrance porch supported on reinforced concrete posts and opening onto an elevated concrete path to the rear.

Setting:
Located on a steeply sloping coastal site overlooking the sea. Blackrock Road runs along the lower level to the north and loops around to the rear of the group of houses at a higher level.

Roof Artificial slate
RWG Steel
Walling Painted render
Windows 2/2 timber sash windows

Historical information

The current seafront dwelling, originally built in 1910 as a single house, but divided c1930 into two flats, is first shown on the fourth edition OS map of 1922-31. The coastal area to the west of Portrush began to be developed during the Edwardian heyday of the town, and the current dwelling was one of a number to be constructed here during the 1900s and 1910s. The house enters valuation records in 1910 at £24, the initial occupier being Annie Keith Stewart who lived with her niece Annie Louisa Keith Stewart. The five-room house was designated second class in the 1911 census. Valuer’s notes of 1910 give a plan of the house, initially a simple rectangular structure with return, and give the cost of construction which was £515. The house was initially known as ‘Upper Cooleen’, distinguishing it from another house further along the coast, also built by Annie Stewart and called ‘Cooleen’.

Annie K Stewart died in 1932 (Will of Annie K Stewart) and it appears that around this time the house was divided into two flats, the first and second floors forming one flat while the ground floor formed another. Valuer’s notes of the early 1930s give the accommodation in the upper flat as four bedrooms and a boxroom, a sitting room, kitchen and scullery, bathroom and WC, with a washhouse outside. The ground floor flat comprised a reception, two bedrooms, a kitchen, scullery, pantry, bathroom and WC. The attached plan shows that two porches were added to the house on either side c1930 giving access to the upper flat. The house currently lies vacant and permission has been granted for its demolition and replacement.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/6/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1922-31
2. PRONI OS/6/1/6/5 Fifth Edition OS Map 1946-50
3. PRONI VAL/12/A/5/56– Valuer’s Note book (1910)
4. PRONI VAL/12/B/30/4A-F – Annual Revisions (1862-1929)
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/4/22A-D Annual Revisions (1895-1930)
6. PRONI VAL/3/C/1/30 First General Revaluation 1933-57
7. PRONI VAL/3/D/1/15/A/29 First General Revaluation 1933-57
8. 1911 census online

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

The current detatched two storey seafront dwelling, was originally built in 1910 as a single house, but divided c1930 into two flats. It is first shown on the fourth edition OS map of 1922-31. Square on plan facing north and set on a steeply sloping coastal site overlooking the sea. Whilst it has some interesting historical detailing it is not of sufficient architectural or historic interest to warrant listing.