A.M. Rentals and M.Y. Fashions

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two- storey/ one-bay building south west of Ballybot House (former flax spinning mill); aligned north-south, with main facade to east. The rear elevation backs on to the former railway line to the Albert Basin.

Gabled natural slate roof. Rainwater goods are metal over a projecting brick eaves course; gutters missing at back. Rear pitch has six cast-iron skylights with corrugated transparent plastic skylights between. The right gable (as viewed from the main façade) is coped with tiles on both pitches. Walls are of granite rubble, brought to courses (except between openings), and with finely dressed granite quoins.

The original symmetry of the main façade has been compromised by alterations to the openings. Originally there was a wide segmental brick headed door at each end of the ground floor, between which were four tall windows. The left entrance has been infilled and is now abutted by a one-storey monopitched outbuilding with cement-rendered walls. To its right is a window with a 20-paned top sash and 2-paned horizontally divided bottom sash. The jambs of this and all the other windows are of stepped red brick; their almost-flat heads are also of brick and the cills of granite. To the right of this window is a modern double door with side and transom lights inserted into an original window opening now partially infilled and widened. Above is a projecting flat metal loading platform. To right again are two 20/20 sliding sash windows. The arched entrance at extreme right is blocked and abutted by a one-storey shed with a corrugated metal monopitched roof and cement block walls.

Originally there were six smaller 10/10 sliding sash windows to first floor; three of the openings and most of the windows have been altered. From left to right they are as follows: (1) 10/10 sliding sash; (2) partially blocked opening with modern fixed pane and t-&-g boarding above; (3) partially blocked opening into which a door with concrete lintel has been inserted, part of the wall underneath being removed as a consequence (metal platform at front); (4) 5/5 sliding sash ; (5) 5/10 sliding sash; (6) as opening no. 3, with a metal fire escape at front.

On right gable, the ground floor walls are cement dashed, without openings. At first floor is a blocked opening, and also a window opening on apex, now t+g sheeted. There is the marking of a curved roof of a one-storey outhouse, now demolished. The left gable is plain, with an infilled window at apex.

The rear elevation is overgrown with ivy. Ground floor has three openings, all boarded up from inside. From left to right: (1) brick trimmed segmental headed opening with 1/2 top-pivoted window; (2) and (3) rectangular openings with cement block surrounds. At first floor are two ventilation slits, now infilled.

Historical information

Associated with Dempster’s flax spinning mill (HB16/28/074A). Not cited in 1863 Valuation book, but shown on 1873 Valuation Revision map, indicating that it was erected between these dates. Function uncertain, but may have been flax scutching mill cited in 1873 Valuation Revision book as containing 36 scutching stocks. See HB16/28/074A for subsequent history of mill.

Primary Sources:
1.Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI – VAL 2B/2/39C, p.114;
2. OS map 1835 edition, PRONI OS 9/15/2/15;
3.Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 12B/15/1C, p.175.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A two- storey/ one-bay building primarily of interest on account of its spatial and functional association with the nearby spinning mill, but of insufficient architectural or technical interest to merit listing.