173 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 pitched extension to the south-east.

The roofs are pitched and slated with deep overhanging eaves and central two colour brick chimney with replacement masonry coping and replacement pots. Gables have fretted timber bargeboard, finial and dropped circle motif. The walls are smooth rendered with a painted plinth. The square headed replacement uPVC 8/8 sliding sash windows with horns are contained in Tudor-arched-headed openings. All windows have painted masonry sills.

The principal elevation faces north. The door is located in the third bay from left, all other bays contain ground floor window. The second window from the left is surmounted by a gabled dormer containing the first floor window. A second dormer to the west is shared with 171 Belfast Road (HB20/12/002E). The entrance door opening is Tudor arch headed with moulded masonry surround, within which is an original square headed timber panelled door with Tudor arch top panels.

The east elevation is abutted by 171 Belfast Road (HB20/12/002E).

The south elevation is abutted by the extension. The extension has timber fretted bargeboard to eaves, as original house, and a uPVC vertically opening window to each level.

The west elevation has one window to first floor level and a square headed uPVC top-hung opening casement window to ground floor. The extension has a single uPVC top-hung opening casement window to ground floor.

Setting

The house is directly accessed from Belfast Road to the north. The main elevation is abutted to the east by random rubble square pillars supporting modern steel gate, and walling surmounted by hedging. The site is bounded to the south by a timber fence.

There is a modern pitched building to the south-east of the site, constructed in the style of the house. The north elevation is gable-ended, with one window to first floor level and timber garage door to the ground floor. The first floor is accessed from an external stair abutting the west elevation. The entrance is surmounted by a gabled lucarne.

Roof covering Natural slate
Walling Painted render
Windows uPVC framed 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 as James Craig, the house valued at £2.5s.0d.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/50/1, 1st Edition OS Map, Co Antrim, sheet no 50, 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/1/50/2, 2nd Edition OS Map, Co Antrim, sheet no 50, 1857
3. PRONI OS/6/1/50/3, 3rd Edition OS Map, Co Antrim, sheet no 50, 1902
4. PRONI OS/6/1/50/4, 4th Edition OS Map, Co Antrim, sheet no 50, 1921
5. PRONI OS/6/1/50/6, 6th Edition OS Map, Co Antrim, sheet no 50, 1962
6. PRONI VAL/2/A/1/50B, Griffiths Valuation Map, 1859
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/52, Griffiths Valuation Field book, 1859

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
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

The interior was not accessed. Letters were left but there has been no response.