9 Downshire Place

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Second building from left in a symmetrical terrace of four two-storey (+ semi-basement + attic)/ three-bay houses on the east side of Downshire Road. Four openings wide at front.

Pitched artificial slate roof with two cast iron skylights to rear pitch. Cement rendered chimneys with projecting caps to each gable (each shared with adjacent properties). Rainwater goods are semicircular plastic with metal downpipe to left and right, shared with adjacent properties.

Wall to facade is painted and line rendered; projecting rendered eaves course. Two granite steps lead to granite paved platform in front of main entrance in second opening from left on ground floor. Original palmette headed cast iron railings flank sides of platform. Cement stairs at right lead right down to basement passage.

Door is painted timber with beaded muntin and four bolection moulded panels, with assorted ironmongery and modern intercom box. Door frames are reeded timber. Door is flanked by two three-quarter attached granite Tuscan columns and supporting a moulded granite entablature over which is a rectangular lead Greek Revival transom light. The opening has one-piece moulded granite jambs with, with scrolled consoles at top supporting a moulded granite cornice. On left column is a second intercom box. On wall to right of door is a modern small plastic sign. To right of door are two 1/1 sliding sash windows; at left is an identical one. All windows are without horns and have painted granite cills.

Three windows to basement, in line with those above. All are modern four paned timber casements with bottom transoms, granite cills and metal security bars over. Directly under main door platform is a porch which divides the passage across the front of the basement into two. On right cheek of porch is a modern timber door, with sidelight; on left cheek is a small 1/1 top hung modern window.

To first floor are four equally spaced windows, identical to those on ground floor, but diminished in height.

Left and right gables form party walls with adjacent properties (nos 7 and 11).

The basement to rear elevation is at ground level due to the sloping topography of the site. Rear wall is smooth unpainted render, with projecting eaves course. A two-storey lean-to abuts second bay from left. Unless otherwise stated, all rear windows have granite cills and are fitted with metal security grilles.

At basement left is a modern timber and glass door with side and transom lights. To its immediate right, under abutting room, is a one pane modern window. To right is a sheeted plywood door (exit from basement stairs). At far right is a four paned timber casement. Between basement and ground floor, just left of centre, is a modern top-hung window with concrete cill (lights basement stairs). To ground floor right is a single 3/3 sliding sash (no horns). At half landing between ground and first floors, on left bay, is a tall 1/1 sliding sash window (to stairs inside). At left and right on first floor, are single 6/6 sliding sashes. Between first floor right window and half landing window below, is a small modern casement (serving toilet); it has no grill over.

Lean-to return has artificial slate roof, plastic rainwater goods, and cement rendered walls supported on two rendered corner piers (to corners) over basement of main block. Face of return has two sliding sashes (with horns) to ground floor; that to left is 1/1 and to right 2/2.

Rear garden is enclosed to sides and rear by granite rubble walls with a gate to rear onto a lane to Church Avenue.

Setting

A garden to front is enclosed by a chamfered granite base wall (railings now gone). A cement path from street leads to front door and to either side are small lawns and mature hedges.

Historical information

Shown in present form in 1834 OS map. Owned by Rev. John Weir in 1838 Valuation. Probably erected in 1820s or early 1830s as part of development of Downshire Road by Marquis of Downshire. Seemingly conceived as part of a longer terrace never completed.

Primary Sources:

1. PRONI OS 6/3/46/1 OS 6" map, 1st edition (1834) Co Down sheet 46
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1B/ 389, p.55
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1D/3/8A.
4. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.420, 428 (entry 417.26).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Second building from left in a symmetrical terrace of four two-storey/ three-bay houses. A fine example of an earlier 19th century Georgian townhouse and an early example of town planning by an improving landlord. Its appearance is enhanced by its restrained decoration (particularly the doorcase) and grouping within an intact symmetrical terrace.