163 Belfast Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Attached four-bay one-and-a-half storey house, built c.1820, located to the south of Belfast Road. The plan is rectangular with a one-and-a-half storey extension to the south.

The roofs are pitched and slated with deep overhanging eaves. The main roof has a central polychromatic brick chimney with three clay pots. Gables have fretted timber bargeboards, finials and dropped circle motif. The walls are smooth rendered. Square headed 8/8 uPVC sliding-sash windows (replacements) with horns are contained in Tudor-arch-headed openings. All windows have painted masonry sills.

The principal elevation faces north. The door is located in the second bay from the left. All other bays contain ground floor window. The third window from the left is surmounted by a pitched dormer containing the first floor window. A second dormer to the east is shared with 165 Belfast Road (HB20/12/002B). The entrance door opening is Tudor arch headed with moulded masonry surround, within which is an original square headed timber panelled door with glazed Tudor arch panels to the top panels.

The west elevation has a single window to first floor level.

The south elevation is abutted on the right by a pitched roof extension. The exposed wall section has a single square headed uPVC casement window to ground floor, divided 8/8. The extension has a modern door to the east elevation and a square headed uPVC window to each level on the south elevation.

The east elevation is abutted by no 165 Belfast Road (HB20/12/002B).

Setting

The house is directly accessed from Belfast Road to the north. The main elevation is abutted to the west by circular pillars with wrought iron double gates. The site is bounded to the south by a hedge and to the west by a timber fence.

Roof covering Natural slate
Walling Painted render
Windows uPVC 8/8 sliding sash
Rainwater goods Cast iron ogee gutters and round downpipes..

Historical information

The house appears on the 1st Edition OS map of the area, dated 1834. On subsequent editions of the map, dated up to the 6th edition of 1962, the plan form remains unchanged, indicating that the extension was carried out in more recent years.
The Griffiths Valuation of 1859 states the Immediate Lessor was William Chaine, and the Townland and Occupier was John Wilson, the house valued at £2.5s.0d.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/50/1, 1st Edition OS Map, Co Antrim (1834)
2. PRONI OS/6/1/50/2, 2nd Edition OS Map, Co Antrim (1857)
3. PRONI OS/6/1/50/3, 3rd Edition OS Map, Co Antrim (1902)
4. PRONI OS/6/1/50/4, 4th Edition OS Map, Co Antrim (1921)
5. PRONI OS/6/1/50/6, 6th Edition OS Map, Co Antrim (1962)
6. PRONI VAL/2A/1/50B, Griffiths Valuation Map (1859)
7. PRONI VAL/2B/1/52, Griffiths Valuation Field book (1859)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An attached four-bay one-and-a-half storey house with attractive fretted timber bargeboards and Tudor detailing. It is part of a group of six picturesque dwellings along this road that are of note in their style, character and arrangement. The house has been extended in recent years to the rear and the uPVC windows detract significantly from its appearance but it remains of interest as part of the group.

General comments

Interior not accessed. Letters left but there has been no response.