32 Shore Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-bay, three-storey early Victorian terraced townhouse, built c.1840 and located to the west of Shore Road in the centre of Holywood. Rectangular on plan with single-storey projecting entrance bay to front and large two-storey return to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with rendered chimneystack and terracotta pots. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods. Walling is ruled-and-lined painted render. Windows are 6/6 timber framed sliding sash (unless otherwise stated) in moulded architraves to first floor.

The principal elevation faces east and is three openings wide. To left at ground floor is timber garage door; to right is projecting entrance bay with moulded cornice and applied lettering; modern timber-framed sash windows and timber four-panelled door with door furniture; tiled ramped access.

The south elevation is abutted by adjoining building (HB23/20/023B)

The west (rear) elevation is abutted to centre by two-storey return; to right are two windows over arched opening; to left is single window to each floor. Exposed section of return to left has two openings to first floor and two timber doors and a window to ground floor; to right is small passageway: exposed section to right has single window. Gable has two 1/1 windows to first floor; ground floor is abutted by cement render wall with buttress.

The north elevation is abutted by adjoining modern building.

Setting

The house is set back from the road with paved parking space to right and left of main entrance. Rear gravelled garden enclosed by rubble stone wall and hedgerow; modern timber gate to west.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: render
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Shore Road, or Shore Street, as it was previously known, was one of the original Holywood thoroughfares, growing up during the early seventeenth century and consisting largely of thatched cabins until redevelopment began at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Professional and mercantile classes made their homes here as Holywood began to attract an expanding population wishing to leave the dirt and clamour of Belfast behind. Shore Street was a genteel residential area with commerce mainly confined to the upper part of the road near the maypole. (Merrick, p.32)

According to Merrick, this terrace, bearing the name ‘Archville’ was built by John Jackson c.1840. It first appears on the second edition OS map of 1858 and is listed in Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) as a terrace of three houses for which dimensions are given. (Merrick, p.34)

The current house is occupied by Arthur McBirney and subsequently Thomas Ward. It is a house, yard and small garden, buildings valued at £15.10s, later raised to £16. A succession of occupiers follow, after a period of vacancy when the valuation is reduced to £13 in 1885, George C Wills (1887) and James Shannon (1892). Miss Margaret Bain is the occupier in 1900 when the lessor becomes the Representatives of William Killips. In 1909 the valuation was raised to £16.10s due to the addition of a new return, dimensions for which are given in valuer’s notes. The building is now in use as offices.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/1/2 – Second Edition OS map 1858
2. PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02
3. PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31
4. PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/18B – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
6. PRONI VAL/12/A/3/53 – Valuer’s Notebook (1900-1906)
7. PRONI VAL/12/A/3/54 – Valuer’s Notebook (1906-1912)
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
9. PRONI VAL/12/E/123/1/1-6 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1860-c1866)
10. PRONI VAL/12/E/123/2/1-6 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1867-1900)

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
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A three-storey three-bay early Victorian terraced townhouse, built c.1840 and forming part of a terrace of three in a longer run of terraced houses. Architectural detailing to the main elevation is largely intact. Change of use from dwelling to dental practice has resulted in significant loss of interior detailing, although the floor-plan remains largely intact. Part of a terrace, in the older part of the town, illustrating the development of Holywood in the early part of the 19th century; Shore Road was once the main thoroughfare in Holywood.

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered, it was previously recorded as HB23/20/023