7 Corry’s Square

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Right (west) building of a symmetrical pair of three storey (+ attic), Georgian Classical two bay mirror-image townhouses (now one property), on north side of Corry's Square.

Pitched natural slate roof with two smooth rendered chimneys; one to right gable and one to party wall between the two. There are two cast iron skylights to front pitch. Semicircular metal rainwater goods with downpipe to right corner of façade.

Wall to south elevation is painted lined render with stepped render quoins to right corner, a moulded string course between first and second floor, a similar course over second floor window heads, and a raised render eaves course.

Main entrance is at ground floor right. Four granite steps, with wrought iron railing to both sides rise from street to a segmental headed opening with ashlar granite jambs and archivolt. This opening has been boarded up, but behind is an aedicule consisting of a pair of timber fluted Ionic columns supporting an entablature flanking a ten panelled (raised and fielded bolection moulded) painted timber door.

All windows to facade have stop-end chamfered reveals and heads, and granite cills; all are 1/1 sliding sashes with horns and have been boarded up. There are two windows to ground floor left, and three equally spaced windows to each upper floor; those to second floor are diminished in height. Its right gable is abutted by no 6 a lower building, the exposed section is smooth rendered. Left gable is party wall with No. 8.

Rear elevation is painted coursed random rubble and is abutted to ground floor left by a two-storey return/ outbuilding and to right by a lean-to extension. There are single windows to right and centre on each upper floor. First floor right window is a 9/9 sliding sash window. To first floor centre a window opening is abutted by the return. Between first and second floor to left is a 6/6 sliding sash. To second floor right and centre are 6/6 sliding sash windows. To left, between second floor and attic is a 6/3 sliding sash window.

Rear return becomes an outbuilding and encloses the yard to right and rear, continuing to rear of No.7 and abutting it to rear also. It has a natural slate roof and dashed walls, with an assortment of metal framed and sliding sash windows.

Historical information

This block is shown on the 1835 town map. It is described in the 1838 Valuation Book as measuring 26ft x 33ft x 35ft, and was occupied at that time by John Reid. The measurements in the 1863 Valuation are broadly similar, indicating no significant alterations. It is probably of early 19th century date.

This and the adjoining house (HB16/25/003B) are noted as having “internal communication” in the 1902 Valuation Revision Book, and being under the one ownership. They are depicted on the 1903 map as a hotel. This is explicitly named in the 1921 Valuation as the Victoria Hotel.

Sources:

1. PRONI - VAL 1D/3/8E (1835 map);
2. PRONI - VAL 1B/246C (1838 valuation);
3. OS 6" map (1903) Co Down Sheet 46 (PRONI - OS 8/20/3/3);
4. PRONI - VAL 2B/2/39B, p.69 (1863 valuation);
5. PRONI - VAL 12B/22/18B (1902 valuation);
6. PRONI - VAL 12B/22/18D, p.76 (1921 valuation).
7. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.427 (entry 417.21).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is an early town house retaining most of its original features. The pair make an important contribution to the square.