William Porter & Son

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An attached two-bay three-storey rendered townhouse, built c.1930, located on the south side of High Street, Omagh. L-plan, facing north, with return to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof, angled blue/black clay ridge tiles, rendered chimneystacks, beaded terracotta chimneypots, half-round metal gutters on corbelled box eaves. Walling is painted smooth render. Windows are square-headed painted timber 8/1 sashes, moulded rendered architraves with sills. Doors are square-headed replacement glazed timber.

Principal (north) elevation has a window to each bay, first floor windows have keyblocks, ground floor has modern fascia spanning over square-headed plate-glass display window and door at left bay; that to right has door with replacement overlight, moulded architrave with keyblock.

East gable is abutted by adjoining building. Exposed section is blank.

Rear (south) elevation is abutted at left by return.

West gable is entirely abutted by adjoining 19 High Street (HB11/13/006).

Setting:-
The townhouse is situated prominently on an elevated site on Omagh High Street, near the Courthouse (HB11/13/001) and opposite the former town hall (HB11/13/017).

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Painted smooth render.
Windows: Timber
RWG: Metal

Historical information

A building is shown on the site from the earliest editions of the ordnance survey map. Town plans are not helpful in drawing a distinction between different buildings on this site. However, in 1933 a valuer has noted that the house was rebuilt in 1931 and this is consistent with some of the detailing on the building itself.

In 1933 the valuer notes that the occupier is Kathleen J Doris, a dental surgeon, and that the building comprises a kitchen, larder, reception and three bedrooms, a bathroom, WC, and waiting room. There is a large return and a coal hole to the rear, with a shed at the back of the plot. It is valued at £32. The valuer describes the property as being in good order with modern fittings etc.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/3/G/153/2/2 – First NI General Revaluation Town Plan (1935-56)
2. PRONI VAL/3/D/7/7B/3-4 – Valuers RV Binders (1933-1957)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An attached two-bay three-storey rendered townhouse, built c.1930, located on the south side of High Street, Omagh. The townhouse displays good proportions and was a sensitive rebuild amongst its immediate neighbours. While of local interest, it is a late copy of an earlier style and subsequent alterations, especially to the front elevation at ground floor level, have compromised its architectural and historic interest.