8 Corry’s Square

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

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

Pitched natural slate roof with two smooth rendered chimneys; one left gable and one to party wall with adjacent property and a single cast iron skylight each pitch. Semicircular metal rainwater goods with downpipe to right corner of façade.

Wall to facade is painted lined render with stepped render quoins to left 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 left. Four granite steps, with wrought iron railing to right, rises up 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 (left one rotten) flanking a ten panelled (raised and fielded, bolection moulded) painted timber door.

All windows to facade are 1/1 sliding sashes with stop-end chamfered reveals and heads, granite cills 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 left gable was abutted by a lower, now demolished building, the exposed wall to left is random rubble with a four paned modern window set in an earlier opening between ground and first floor. Gable above is line rendered with two 2/2 sliding sash windows with granite cills. Right gable is party wall with no.7.

Rear elevation is painted coursed random rubble and is abutted to ground floor right by a two storey return/ outbuilding and to left by a flat roofed extension. There are two windows to left and centre on each upper floor. First floor left window is an enlarged opening containing a four paned modern casement. To first floor centre, over ridge of return roof is a 3/3 sliding sash window. Between first and second floor, to first floor left is a three paned modern window within an earlier opening. To second floor left and centre are single 6/6 sliding sashes. To right, 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 26ft6in x 33ft x 35ft, and was occupied at that time by Robert Erskine. 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 (HB16/25/003A) 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.