8 Trevor Hill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Right hand of a pair of three storey (+ basement) houses and part of an important architectural grouping on east side of Trevor Hill. Each property is two bays wide and shares a common coach arch, the rooms over arch to facade belong to no. 8, and those to rear belong to no. 9.

Roof is pitched artificial slate which catslides over rear return. Semicircular metal rainwater goods and down pipe falling to right of facade. Rainwater goods to rear are plastic with a metal down pipe to centre of rear elevation.

Walls to facade are painted lined render with a raised eaves course. Two granite steps rise from street to main entrance at centre of facade. Door is six panelled (decorative, raised and fielded) painted timber, with beaded muntin and brass furniture. It is set within a pair of slender timber Doric columns, which support a moulded timber entablature (raised over each column). Over entablature is a semi-elliptical metal fanlight. All are set within a semi-elliptical headed opening with painted ashlar granite jambs and head, raised imposts and keystone. The left jamb of the opening is shared with the coach arch. On wall to immediate right of door are a modern hanging sign and two brass plaques.

To left of door is a large pair of glazed and panelled (raised, fielded and stop-end chamfered) timber doors. These are set within a painted ashlar semi-elliptical coach arch with similar detailing as front door. To right of front door is a single 2/1 exposed box sliding sash window. The bottom pane has been infilled with a fascia advertising the occupant. To basement (in line with window above) is a single 2/2 sliding sash window with timber and mesh grill over.

To first and second floors are three equally spaced 2/2 exposed box sliding sash windows. Those to first floor have wrought metal balconettes, have advertising lettering attached to their top panes and are bottom lit by modern spot lights fixed below their cills. Windows to second floor are diminished in height. All windows to facade have painted granite cills.

There is no exposed basement to rear elevation, which is two bays wide. Walls are unpainted lime render; to right bay is a stairwell return with a window at half-landing level and one above to second floor. To each floor on left bay is a single 2/2 exposed box sliding sash window, (that to second floor is diminished in height). The rear door is in stairwell return. It is four panelled (top two glazed) with glazed and panelled sidelights and is set within a plain reveal. To half landing between ground and first floor is a 1/2 casement window. Above on half landing between first floor and second floor is a modern 2/2 casement window set within a large infilled opening.

Plain metal spiked original railings resting on a granite base wall enclose front steps and basement. The area to front of coach arch is paved with granite square-sets. To left of front door, inset into steps, is a wrought iron boot scraper.

Historical information

Trevor Hill was laid out in the late 18thC and developed in the first years of the 19thC. This building is shown on the 1835 map and described in 1863 valuation as 3 storeys high (as now).

Primary sources:
1. OS map, 1835 edition, PRONI - OS 9/15/1/1
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 2B/3/69G, p.58 (1863 valuation)

Secondary Sources:
1 M. Jope (ed) 1966, An archaeological survey of Co. Down, pp 429-30 (Belfast: HMSO).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Right hand of a pair of three storey (+ basement) painted rendered houses. Substantial early 19th classical revival town house, which, with no.8, forms a pleasing architectural composition around the central coach arch. Most original features survive. The pair also form part of an important architectural grouping.