4 Upper Water Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Rendered three-storey building with narrow frontage set in terrace on west side of Abbey Way (now back to its original name of Upper Water Street) and forming a group with no.2 Abbey Way (HB16/28/052A) and nos 1-5 Margaret Street (HB16/28/053). No 2 and 4 may have been built as one and later subdivided.

Pitched artificial slate roof with half-round metal gutters and downpipe to left (shared with no 6).

The wall to façade is painted lined render. To ground floor is a single arched opening; former coach arch with vee-channelled granite jambs and semi-elliptical head. It contains a modern shop front with t+g sheeted fascia in head and door to left below, all of no interest. To each upper floor is a 1/1 sliding sash window (with horns). All cills are painted granite. That to second floor is slightly diminished in height.

Rear elevation was impossible to view, however an internal inspection suggests that following configuration: there is a stairwell return to right side of elevation. There is a single window to each floor. At ground floor is a modern fixed window. To first floor is a four paned metal window. To second floor is a 6/6 sliding sash window. The stairwell return has a small metal window between ground and first floor and a similar one between first and second floor.

Historical information

Shown on 1835 OS map and valued as a dwelling house at £9 in 1838 Valuation book. Noted in 1863 valuation

Primary Sources:
1. PRONI -OS 9/ 15/1/1 (1835 map);
2. PRONI - VAL 1B/389, p.51 (1838 valuation book);
3. PRONI - VAL 2B/3/69G, p.49 (1863 valuation book).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Narrow two storey building part of prominent group in the oldest parts of the town, retaining many of its original features, especially internally. However, it has been devalued by the changes to the neighbouring buildings in the group and conservation area protection is now more appropriate in this case.

General comments

This building originally had the address 4 Abbey Way. Following various realignments etc in the area, the street name was changed to Upper Water Street, hence the change of address.