Ulster Bank

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-storey with attic three-bay semi-detached red-brick bank, dated 1920, built to designs by James A. Hanna; located to the east of Main Street in the centre of Bangor. Rectangular on plan with modern two-storey extension to rear (of no interest).

Pitched natural slate roof. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting dentilled eaves. Walling is Flemish bonded red-brick with ruled-and-lined stucco to ground floor. String courses between ground and first floor. Windows are 6/1 sliding sash in deep reveals with stucco surrounds having corniced frieze and projecting painted masonry sills.

The principal elevation faces west and is four windows wide to first floor; second floor with windows to entrance bay only. Breakfront entrance bay with central pediment and cornice ornamented with shallow medallions on simple pilasters decorated with wreaths. Double-leaf, raised-and-fielded three-panelled timber door, surmounted by a segmental pediment (breaking string course); lions with folded paws form corbels to the pediment; Ulster Bank’s coat of arms over door; ULSTER BANK LIMITED in moulded lettering to entrance bay.

The north elevation is abutted to first floor by neighbouring building; exposed section blank and cement rendered.

The east elevation is abutted by modern extension, of no interest; exposed section blank and cement rendered.

The south elevation has four openings to ground floor and two centrally placed openings to first and second floor; two diminutive windows to gablet in pedimented band-rusticated stucco surround; volutes to either side of gablet. Pilasters with wreaths frame central bay as at main elevation; decorated balcony at first floor, supported on green man corbels with central gryphon; cartouche to centre of balustrade with date- ‘1920’.

Setting

The bank is situated in a prominent position on the east side of Main Street in Bangor town centre to the north of the listed Northern Bank (HB23/05/001) .

Roof: Natural Slate
Walling: Brick
Windows: Timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

This branch of the Ulster Bank was purpose-built in 1920 to designs by James Hanna. The Irish Builder, in September of that year, announced that the premises had been occupied and offered a description of the building, “The stonework is enriched by several fine pieces of carving, executed by Messrs F.T. Thompson and Son, Belfast…The cash office is approximately 1,000 sq. ft. in which is included the manager’s commodious private office, and a lunch room for the use of the staff. The public space is floored with Venetian marble mosaic, and the rest of the office with pitch pine wood blocks. The entire offices are heated by a low-pressure hot water system installed by Messrs. Musgrave and Co., Belfast. The building was carried out to the plans and specifications of Mr James Hanna, architect, Belfast, by Messrs. Courtney and Co., builders, Belfast.”

The first branch of the Ulster Bank in Bangor was opened in 1917 at 124 Main Street. The present building occupies a site formerly occupied by the Post Office, a grocery and home-bakery, and a haberdashery store. (Knox, p.168)

The site is listed in valuation records for 1921 as being occupied by the Ulster Bank Ltd and leased from Baroness Clanmorris but no description or valuation is given until a later fieldbook when it is described in 1925 as a Bank, Manager’s residence, motor house and yard valued at £250. Former stables and outhouses at the rear of the building were rented out to a firm of undertakers. The valuation is lowered in 1925 to £180, possibly as the result of an appeal. Knox states that there is a well under the floor of the main building. (Knox, p.168)

Early managers are listed by Knox as follows, “The first manager was James McAuley, who retired in 1938 and was replaced by Andrew D Erskine, who also retired at the branch in 1949. He was succeeded by Albert V Maxwell, who was transferred to Donegall Place branch in 1954. James Montgomery was the fourth manager at the branch and he retired in 1960 being succeeded by…John B Baillie.” (Knox, p.168)

According to Patton there was a proposal to demolish the bank in 1990 but this met with a public outcry and the bank was instead extended to the rear. (Patton, p.121)

References:

Primary Sources

1.PRONI OS/6/3/2/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-26
2.PRONI OS/6/3/2/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1939
3.PRONI VAL/12/B/23/9A-S – Annual Revisions (1900-1930)
4.Irish Builder, Vol 62, 11 September 1920, p.589

Secondary Sources

1.Knox, W.J. “Decades of the Ulster Bank, 1836-1964” Belfast: Ulster Bank Ltd, 1965
2.Patton, M, “Bangor, An Historical Gazetteer” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1999

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

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A three-storey with attic three-bay semi-detached red-brick bank, built 1920 to plans by James A. Hanna. A good example of an early 20th century purpose-built Ulster Bank. Although some alteration has taken place, it retains much of its original layout and many original details. The detailing on the façade displays good craftsmanship and reflecting its robust character as a significant civic building. It is also of note as the work of a significant local architect.