34 Hill Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three storey (+basement + attic) two bay classical Georgian house fronting west side of Hill Street. This is centre of building of terrace of three.

Roof is pitched natural slate with two modern skylights to rear pitch. Cement render chimney to left gable. Gutters are semicircular profiled metal with a downpipe falling to right of facade.

Wall to facade is painted, lined cement render with unpainted granite eaves course. Five granite steps rise to main entrance at ground floor left. Six panelled timber door with beaded muntin and bolection moulded and raised panels. Door is set within a pair of Ionic demi-columns, on moulded plinths. Columns support a moulded entablature, over which is a delicate lead, peacock-tail fan light. All are set within a segmental headed opening with pole-mould chamfer to reveal. On wall to right of door is a brass plaque, and over fanlight is a modern security box. To ground floor right are two equally spaced 1/1 sliding sash windows with granite cills. There are no openings to basement. There are three equally spaced 6/6 sliding sashes to first and second floors those to second floor are diminished in height. First floor windows have decorative wrought iron balconettes, and those to second floor have plainer balconettes. Front steps and basement area are enclosed by plain spiked railings with urn topped decorative posts all resting on a chamfered granite plinth. To right of front steps there are six steps down to the stone flagged basement passage.

Left and right gables form party walls with adjacent properties. Wall to rear elevation is painted lined cement render. Elevation is abutted at right by a two-storey extension. At ground floor left are two 6/6 sliding sash windows. There are two similar windows to first and second floors (top ones diminished in height). To right at half landing level between first and second floors (over flat roof of return) is a 6/6 sliding sash window with semicircular, radial glazed head. Modern plastic soilpipes abut rear elevation at centre. Ground floor window and half-landing window have security bars attached.

Two-storey return has felted flat roof and painted render walls. At ground floor left is a modern timber door. To first floor are two three paned windows. This return is abutted by a second return. It is two storeys with a felted flat roof, and painted render walls. Its left cheek projects slightly more forward. To ground floor of left cheek is a three paned PVC window with fixed metal security grill. To first floor are two PVC top-hung windows. There is also a small fixed window to gable end. Second return is abutted by a third single storey mono-pitched shed, which is of no interest.

Historical information

Shown on the 1835 OS map. Valued at £43 in 1838 valuation. Described in 1863 valuation as three and one-third storeys high plus basement.

Primary Sources:
1. OS map 1835 edition PRONI –OS 9/15/1/1
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL1B/389, p.44 (1838 valuation)
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 2B/3/69G, p.26 (1863 Valuation)

Secondary Sources.
1. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.428 (entry 417.29).

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

Three storey (+basement + attic) two bay classical Georgian house forming the central unit of a Georgian three house terrace of classic proportions and style. Virtually unchanged and of an early date, the building is important in its survival and architectural characteristics.