8 High Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 6 bay wide 2 storey building with off centre projecting porch, basement and railing.

Elevation to High Street, 6 bay wide with centre 4 bay breakfront, with 3 steps ascending to a landing with forestanding Tuscan columned porch with plain respond pilasters, supporting an entablature with moulded cornice. Entrance is 6 panelled, moulded with criss cross astragal fanlight. The centre breakfront has 2, 12 pane double hung sliding sash windows to left of porch and a similar window to right. A further 12 pane double hung sliding sash window to extreme left and balancing it to the right an arched 6 panel door set in a double concave reveal with fanlight with radiating astragals. 2 steps ascend to the latter door. A flat band stringcourse separates ground and first floor and at 1st floor 6, 12 pane double hung sliding sash windows vertically over openings below. Wall is smooth rendered and painted with deep plinth and finish at top with plain solid parapet wall. Roof has low pitch with 2 narrow and deep rendered chimney stacks with 4 no. tall pots each. A simple elegant metal railing on low wall extends across the 4 bay breakfront and forms a gate between the porch columns. A single double hung sliding sash window adorns the N gable, centrally placed on the 1st floor. An iron gate closes off access to the rear and to that of 10/12 High Street.

The building abuts No. 6 High Street and to the right a gateway giving access to enclosed yard behind. The back return is part of No. 6 and part of the earlier market house. To the rear the building has 12 pane double hung sliding sash matching those to the front.

No. 8 continues the building line of the courthouse and the Draper’s Arms and the terrace commencing with No. 12/14 (see HB09/06/008C for unitary elevational treatment).

Historical information

No. 8 was designed as doctor’s residence and dispensary but as part of a single composition comprising the Market House and Draper’s Arms (see Booth’s drawing of c 1835 ill 35, Moneymore and Draperstown p. 58). The Deputation of 1818 has instructed Jesse Gibson, main architect, to draw up plans. Joinery work was carried out in London ……. “that they might serve as a model to the workmen in the country”. The dispensary became superfluous after 1851. The building was later occupied by the Belfast Bank, followed by the Northern Bank who were there in 1977 when repairs were supervised by Messrs Smyth & Cowser, Architects, Belfast. In 1986 the Nationwide Building Society. Ownership of the building has remained with the Draper’s Company under The Draper’s Charity. The building was listed in 1975. The building has the 1st floor extended over the arched door c 1980s.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Londonderry sh. 46.
2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Londonderry sh. 46.
3. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry XI, 1821, 1833, 1836-7, p. 39.
Ed. Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams QUB.
4. Curl J.S. Moneymore and Draperstown UAHS p. 35, 36, 58
5. Curl J.S. The Londonderry Plantation 1609-1914 p. 193, 202, 230.
6. Notes, 1st Survey, E.H.S. Hill Street, Belfast

Secondary Sources
1. Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland p. 388
2. Rowan A North-West Ulster, Buildings of Ireland p. 425.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An earlier 19th century building in a chaste Georgian style with a contrived plan and a 1st floor bay added in c1980s, but not taking away from the overall composition with neat porch and good railing and forming a part of a good terrace on the west side of High Street.