118-120 High Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-storey multi-bay mid-terrace late Georgian former house; built c.1830 and located on the south side of High Street in Holywood town centre. U-shaped on plan with a series of returns and large two-storey modern extension to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with brick and rendered chimneystacks. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on moulded projecting eaves; plastic to rear. Walling is painted smooth render. Windows are mainly 6/6 timber framed sliding sash; diminutive 3/3 to second floor; all with projecting painted masonry sills.

The principal elevation faces north and is six openings to wide. To centre at ground floor is a square-headed carriage entrance; surmounted with plain entablature having ovolo moulded cornice on decorative console brackets; supporting fascia.

The east elevation has 2/2 sash window with horizontal glazing bars to first floor at right, and diminutive 1/2 sash windows to ground and first floor at left. A lean-to extension projects to left, single window opening to right cheek, left cheek abutting adjoining building (HB23/19/001).

Rear elevation has, to right, replacement timber door and windows to ground floor and single window to first floor; to left; two windows to first floor and single window to ground floor; single-storey extension having modern timber door and modern multi-paned window. Left side is abutted by a two-storey lean-to return, further extended by single-storey extension, framing left side of courtyard. There is a full height return to right with windows to gable; it abuts the re-entrant angle of number 120 and the west gable of the adjoining building (HB23/19/001) which has been divided and partially incorporated into the commercial premises. It frames the right side of the courtyard and is described under the relevant HB number.

The west elevation is abutted by adjoining building; HB23/19/002C.

Setting:
Located to the south side of High Street on the approach to Holywood town centre. Narrow grass area to front with cobbled stone pathway under carriage entrance. To rear is courtyard and tarmacadamed car-park.

Roof: Natural Slate
Walling: Smooth render
Windows: Timber sliding sash
RWG: Cast-iron and plastic

Historical information

High Street, Holywood underwent a period of growth from 1820 to 1850 when the town transformed from a small fishing village into a popular bathing resort and commuter town. (Merrick, p.20)

This single building comprises two dwellings, entered through a shared gateway. Buildings are shown on the first edition OS map of 1834 and the Townland Valuation town plan of c.1834. However, a large increase in valuation shows that the house appears to have been rebuilt or remodelled by the time of the second edition (1858).

In 1834 the dwelling to the east was listed as three houses exempted because they did not reach the minimum valuation. By the time of Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) the property is occupied by James Johnston Junior who rents it from John Harrison. It is a house, office, yard and small garden valued at £16, later raised to £18. Dimensions are given and it is noted that the entrance door is in the gateway.

A number of tenants follow, Thomas Graham (1880) and James Johnston in 1884. In common with many other houses in Holywood in the late nineteenth century, the valuation falls somewhat, to £15 in 1884. Margaret Johnston (1887) and Patrick Sherry (1900) are the next tenants. The lessor is William Dugan in 1900, perhaps the William Dugan who was a commercial traveller living at ‘The Crags’ in Holywood.

Margaret Quinn (1907), William Courser (1908) Margaret Trotter (1911) and Annie A Ferguson are the following occupants and Annie Ferguson becomes the immediate lessor in 1929, Samuel Tait renting the property from her in 1930.

In 1834 the dwelling to the west belongs to Mr Russell and is valued at £7.14s. By the time of Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) it is valued at £12. Miss Jane Martin rents the house from the tenant of number 118, James Johnston Junior. Dimensions are given.

The next tenants are Henry Taggart (n.d.), George Gatchett (n.d.) and James Johnston, who moves into this house in 1887, from his dwelling next door. Mrs Elizabeth Nicholson (1900), a widow who died in 1901, William Taylor (1909), George F Gregory (1916) John L Lee (1923) who leases it from Annie A Ferguson in 1923 are the subsequent tenants. The valuation is raised to £13.10s in 1924.

Both parts of the building are currently in use as shops.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/1/1 – First Edition OS Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/3/1/2 – Second Edition OS map 1858
3. PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02
4. PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31
5. PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41
6. PRONI VAL/1/D/3/12 – Valuation Town Plan c.1834
7. PRONI VAL/1/B/318 – Townland Valuation (1828-40)
8. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/18B – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
10. PRONI VAL/12/E/123/1/1-6 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1860-c1866)
11. PRONI VAL/12/E/123/2/1-6 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1867-1900)
12. PRONI Will of William Dugan, died 20/01/1902

Secondary Sources

1. Merrick, Tony “Buildings of Holywood” Holywood: Holywood Advertiser, 1986

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A three-storey five-bay end-terrace late Georgian former house; built c.1830. Although the conversion into shopping units has resulted in some minor alterations to the plan and loss of historic fabric, it remains a good example of the type and one of the older properties in this part of Holywood. This terrace is a significant part of the development of Holywood from a small fishing village into a popular resort and commuter town.