Factory

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Symmetrical brick factory building with two-storey office and canteen block at centre. This is flanked to each side by a one-storey factory entrance block, beyond each of which is a slightly higher one-storey loading bay block. Behind these façade buildings is the one-storey factory proper, at the rear right of which is a brick chimney. The security kiosk, perimeter railings, walls and gates are an integral part of the overall composition.

The buildings along the façade have flat reinforced-concrete roofs with a concrete-coped parapet along their frontage. The walls are of framed construction with brick and precast concrete facings.

The principal elevation of the central block faces towards the main road and projects forward from the general line of the facade. It has a pair of glazed timber doors in a central recessed bay, with small leaded segmental canopy over, above which is a shallow canted oriel window. These doors are flanked on both sides by four metal-framed windows, one set to each floor (those to first floor taller than at ground). Between ground and first floor windows are concrete panels with square pattern relief. At the ends of this middle block are stairwells, each with a tall window with projecting concrete dressings and a ribbed concrete motif to head. Across the entire front of this block is a projecting continuous concrete beam which is supported by streamlined concrete piers rising between each window bay and at ends.

The left and right cheeks of this central block are abutted at ground floor by entrance blocks into the factory. Towards the rear of each cheek, at first floor level, is a large metal-framed window. In the centre of the back wall of this block is a pair of metal-framed French windows which give access to a narrow yard which separates this block from the factory proper. Above are metal-framed windows in concrete trim.

Each flanking block has, at middle, two pairs of recessed timber doors set in a glass brick surround. There is a flat concrete canopy to front of these doors, supported by two metal columns set on concrete plinths, with concrete steps and planters to front. On either side of the doors is a projecting horizontal concrete- trimmed opening containing four large metal-framed windows.

Each end block contains two loading doors and three windows. Their brick walls are on a concrete base course, and each has a concrete beam projecting across the front, supported in the same way as the middle block . One of the door openings in the right-hand block as been infilled.

Projecting from the right side of the right-hand block is a flat- roofed link to what is believed to be an electricity sub-station. This is a simple brick building with door and two large metal windows.

The factory proper sits behind these façade buildings. It has a glazed roof of north-light profile.

At rear right within the factory block is a squat red brick square-plan chimney with decorative brick pilasters to façade and rear. Trimmed with concrete band near top and capped with concrete.

The security kiosk, which is of octagonal plan, sits to right of right loading bay. Its flat roof extends to form a canopy (supported by a single tubular steel column) over pedestrian entrance. Metal-framed windows and doors.

Lawns to front of office and factory entrance blocks. Complex bounded by a low brick wall (with concrete coping and brick piers) on which is mounted a metal fence of square grid pattern with Art-deco framing and posts. Metal gates have similar detailing.

Historical information

Believed to have been constructed in 1948 by (?)Ulster Textiles.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Low, brick factory complex. An example of early industrial estate architecture in the International style, representing the start of post-war industrial expansion in Northern Ireland.