186 Coast Road,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A gate lodge of asymmetrical plan, partly single storey and partly one and a half storey in height, built of snecked sandstone rubble with ashlar stone quoins and dressings. Steep gabled roofs of green slates with terracotta ridges, shaped timber barges, ornamental timber finials, and exposed rafter ends. Designed in a domestic Gothic idiom with pointed relieving arches over windows.

Main entrance faces west, enclosed in a hipped roof open porch supported on chamfered wooden posts with open lattice-work timber balustrading to each side; door removed as result of vandalism, and slates missing off porch roof.

To left of porch end gable has semi-circular bay window with semi-circular slated roof; three rectangular windows, vertically hung timber sliding sashes, 1 over 1, with horns, with curved frames and glass.

To right of entrance a two-storey projecting gable alongside a central chimney of dressed sandstone with moulded cornice and battered cap; windows in gable rectangular timber, sashed as previous, but surmounted by two-centre relieving arches. To right of gable, a low link block connecting with a single storey gabled block, with damage visible to roofs.

East or rear elevation, which faces onto public road, is of similar style and character to entrance front. Single storey and double storey gabled blocks are linked by a stone wall behind which is visible a flat roof, with ventilator, presumably built over small former yard; later insertion.

General note on condition of gate lodge: The building has been subjected to vandalism which has reduced it to a partially derelict state, with roofing materials removed, and windows broken.

The gateway comprises a pair of large stone piers of square section with weatherings to the pyramidal cap, flanked by smaller stone piers, which in turn are connected to low circular sweep walls punctuated by a yet smaller stone pier and terminated with a dwarf pier. The main carriageway gates of timber are modern although of lattice construction, while only one of the original pedestrian gates survives and is in a decaying condition. It is of chamfered lattice-work pattern with decorative wrought-iron grille-work. Sweep walls originally were mounted with railings of timber and wrought iron work in similar style to the gates, but they are now missing.

SETTING: The building stands in an isolated position in a rural area, close to the edge of the main Coast Road but with its entrance front facing away from it to overlook the driveway which winds past it and formerly led to the main house, Cairndhu (HB 06/03/008) which now has its main access elsewhere. It is clearly visible from the public road, set against a background of mature trees, and it enjoys views over the sea.

Historical information

Built in 1897-8 for John Stewart Clark to the designs of the architect Samuel P. Close, as the front lodge to his residence Cairndhu (ref. no. HB06/03/008) built at the same time.

Reference - Primary

1. P.R.O.N.I., D1898/1/28 (Bill of Quantities).

Secondary

1. J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster, (U.A.H.S., Belfast, 1994), p 6.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

This is an attractive example of a late Victorian gate lodge designed by an important local architect, which provides a fitting introduction to a sizeable main house of interest, and also contributes to the scenic qualities of the Antrim Coast Road.