Newbath House, 105 Shore Road, Greenisland, Co Antrim BT38 8TZ

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Semi-detached three-bay two-storey Georgian house, built c.1820, located to the east of Shore Road. Rectangular-on-plan with single-storey hipped-roof return to north-west (shared with HB22/01/002B), two-storey return to centre at rear and single-storey flat roofed extension to west.

Roofs are pitched natural slate with clay ridge tiles; two rendered chimneys with original pots. Walling is ruled-and-lined rendered over smooth banded plinth, roughcast to extensions. Square-headed 6/6 timber-framed sliding sash windows with secondary glazing to exterior; all have masonry sills.

Symmetrical principal elevation faces south, with a window opening to each bay arranged about a central elliptical-headed opening with moulded surround; original timber six raised-and-fielded panelled entrance door flanked by timber panelled pilasters, sidelights and original lanterns, surmounted by sunburst fanlight; accessed by sandstone steps.

West elevation abutted by 107 Shore Road (HB22/01/002B). Abutted at left by shared return. Further abutted at left by gabled rubble outbuilding.

North elevation abutted by return at left, by shared return at right. Exposed section contains single window at first floor.

East gable is abutted at ground floor by bowed sunroom containing large curved timber window, surmounted by parapet walling and modern steel railing to first floor balcony. Exposed first floor section comprises, to left, replacement uPVC glazed door, to right, uPVC casement window; smooth rendered surrounds. Abutted at right by single-storey flat-roofed extension containing rectangular timber framed window; canopy over recent entrance door, accessed by raised patio. Behind is central two-storey lean-to return containing bowed glass block window. Abutted to right by gabled outbuilding comprising square-headed garage door opening at ground floor, timber panelled door with glazing at first floor. Modern pool-house to north.

Set within mature gardens to north and south. Pitched rubble outbuilding to north. Bounded to shore at east by modern railings on recent rubble walling. Bounded to Shore Road (west) by rock-faced stone walling. Stream to north of site runs into sea to north-east, accessed by masonry steps from rear of 107 Shore Road (HB22/01/002B).

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Ruled-and-lined render
Windows: Square-headed 6/6 timber framed sliding sash
RWG: Cast-iron ogee profile gutters with round downpipes, uPVC gutters to extension

Historical information

The building is first shown in its current form on the second edition OS map of 1857, and is captioned ‘New Bath’ in the third edition OS map of 1902. The previous first edition map of 1832 shows a building of similar orientation.

Griffith’s Valuation records ‘two bathing lodges, offices and [pleasure] grounds’. Each property is valued initially at £20, revised at an unknown date to £22; the occupier of both properties is recorded as Thomas Johnston, held ‘in fee’.

The properties are entered as section A and B, with the occupier of the former revised from Robert to Isabella Johnston in 1896, and the latter from Charlie to Thomas Johnston in 1902.

The description of the property as a ‘bathing house, offices and land’ is revised in 1896 to ‘house, office and land’, which suggests a change to residential use from this date. In 1922 one property is recorded as being vacant.

References:

Primary Sources
1. PRONI OS/6/1/52/1 -First Edition OS Map (1832)
2. PRONI OS/6/1/52/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1857)
3. PRONI OS/6/1/52/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1902)
4. PRONI VAL/1/A/1/52 -Townland Valuation Map (1836)
5. PRONI VAL/1/B/1/187 -Townland Valuation Fieldbook (1838)
6. PRONI VAL/2/A/1/52 -Griffiths Valuation Map (1857)
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/22A Griffiths Valuation Fieldbook (1859)
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/7/6A-D -Valuation Revisions (1808-1929)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This semi-detached three-bay two-storey Georgian House, built c.1820, located to the east of Shore Road has been extended in recent years by the owner. While additions are distinctly modern, the original Georgian character of the house has been largely retained and main features are still intact, including an attractive entrance and original windows. The pair share a secluded shore-front setting with good views over Belfast Lough. It represents a good example of a dwelling from this period.