Cedarville

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An irregular five-bay two-and-three-storey detached house in the International modern style, built c.1970, and located on a large site north of Bangor Road, on the outskirts of Holywood. Rectangular on plan comprising adjoining square and rectangular blocks; rectangular block to northeast (partially rebuilt c.2000) having single-storey extension to rear; square block with recessed entrance bay to ground floor; slightly projecting to rear.

Flat roof in felt with edge trims. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting eaves with timber-sheeting. Walling is painted smooth render; square block to southwest has fish-scale tiled band to slightly jettied first floor; stretcher-bond red and black brick to northeast elevation. Windows are a variety of timber-framed casements.

The principal elevation faces southeast and is dominated by an almost full-height stairwell window divided by six vertical glazing bars; to its left, the first floor is cantilevered out over a tiled veranda and supported on five steel columns; the veranda leads to glazed door flanked by large full-height plate glass windows; ground floor is extended slightly to left with full-height window divided by three horizontal glazing bars; first floor has a horizontal window under eaves, with opening casements to centre and dropped ends. To right of stairwell window are a variety of plate glass windows including a high level horizontal strip window to each floor; right end steps out slightly at first floor and is terminated by a brick strip.

The southwest elevation has two sets of uPVC sliding doors to ground floor; first floor has elongated multi-paned window under eaves board.

The northwest (rear) elevation has a wide variety of irregularly spaced fenestration. Right side projects and has first floor glazed timber double-leaf doors accessed via metal spiral staircase; further glazed timber double-leaf doors to ground floor right. Rectangular block to far left is has attached timber decking over single-storey flat-roof extension (of no interest).

The northeast elevation has garage to ground floor.

Setting

Set on a large site with lawned garden to front and rear, accessed by curved tarmacadam driveway. Swimming pool to rear with freestanding pool-house. Enclosed by mature trees and hedgerow to all sides.

Roof: Felt
Walling: Smooth render
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

‘Cedarville’ is not shown on the OS map of the area dating from the 1960s. According to the current owner the house was built in 1972 by a local builder, George McDermott, who built four houses on the plot, all in different styles, one of which he kept for his own use. A serious fire in the property four years ago destroyed much of the north-eastern section, which has subsequently been rebuilt by the owners. (Owner information)

References:

Primary Sources

1. OS Map Sheet 115 – Surveyed 1959-68

Secondary Sources

1. Owner Information

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An irregular five-bay, two-and-three-storey detached house in the International modern style, built c.1970, and situated on a large prominent site. Alterations and modifications, particularly to the rear, have compromised the integrity of the original design and the intended purity of line and simplicity of form. Although significant in the locale, extensive alterations have compromised its architectural and historic interest.

General comments

This record was completed without access to primary source information held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.