15 Sandys Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One of a terrace of four three-storey houses fronting the south side of Sandys Street. These four houses are symmetrically arranged around a central coach arch. This building is two bays wide to the left of the arch, but probably also includes a room over the arch (as is suggested by the valuation book), thus making it three bays wide.

Pitched natural slate roof with rendered chimney on raised plinth at left. Semicircular metal rainwater goods; downpipe at right shared with adjoining premises.

Wall to street façade is painted line rendered with moulded rendered eaves course. Main entrance at ground floor centre and comprises a four panel grained timber door with beaded muntin, bolection mouldings, and narrow transom light over. To its right are a pair of large cast iron gates and timber tympanum set within a segmental headed coach arch. To left of front door is a 2/2 sliding sash window. At first and second floors are two 2/2 sliding sash windows in line with ground floor window and door; wall above coach arch blank. Top windows diminish in height. All openings have stop-end chamfered jambs and heads, and the windows have granite cills.

House separated from footpath by a rendered brick wall over a granite plinth. Wall returns to left of front door and at left end of house.

Left and right gables abutted by adjoining buildings (HB16/28/102 B and D).

Rear elevation is rendered. Single storey return abuts at right. Above, is a single window to the back room on each floor; both are modern 1/1 top-hung replacements. At middle is a modern casement window to each half landing. Over coach arch is a 1/1 top-hung window to each floor (at least one of which belongs to this house). Return is also rendered and has modern window/ door inserts.

At back of yard is a two-storey random granite rubble outhouse.

Historical information

This house first appears in the 1878 Valuation revision book entry; described as vacant, it was first occupied the following year. Its lessor was Adam Guffin, who also leased the other buildings in this block (HB16/28/102A, B, & D). This building and no.14 are valued at £15 at this date, whereas nos 13 and 16 are valued at only £13 – this suggests that the two central ones each have a room over the coach arch.

Primary Sources

1. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI – VAL 12B/22/14C, p.133.
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 12E/125/1/13.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

One of a terrace of four three-storey houses fronting the south side of Sandys Street. These form a pleasing composition arranged about a central coach arch. Although plainly detailed they are significant in the streetscape and front wall retains all original features. However, they are of a late date and not of special architectural or historic interest. Their value to the street is recognised by inclusion in the Conservation Area.

General comments

Previously recorded in Windsor Hill ward as HB16/26/049