1 Martello Terrace

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A large three-storey three-bay Victorian red-brick end-terrace house, built c.1860 and located to the north of Victoria Road near Holywood town centre. Rectangular on plan with substantial three-storey rear return and canted bays to front.

Pitched natural slate roof with rectangular brick chimneystacks having masonry plinth and terracotta pots. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods. Walling is Flemish bonded red-brick to main elevation with rendered extension to second floor; gable and rear return are ruled-and-lined painted render. Canted bays and entrance bay to first floor is painted stone. Windows are 2/2 timber-framed sliding sash with horizontal glazing bars, flat brick lintels and continuous sills to first floor on main elevation; 6/6 sliding sash to rear return (unless otherwise stated).

The principal elevation faces west and is symmetrically arranged. First floor is four openings wide; second-storey extension with three modern uPVC windows. Canted bays at ground floor with triple window openings, dog-tooth frieze and dentilled eaves. Central entrance comprises portico two Doric columns deep, surmounted by entablature with dog-tooth detail to frieze, dentilled moulded cornice and pediment. Above this to first floor is a round-headed window with Doric pilasters, decorative console brackets and keyblock under moulded cornice. Entrance accessed by two bull-nosed stone steps; door has four bolection-moulded raised-and-pointed panels and brass door furniture, side lights and stained glass transom light framed by simple Doric pilasters.

North elevation has two modern windows to second floor and a single opening to right of first floor.

East (rear) elevation is abutted by three-storey rear return. Exposed section to north has three openings to upper floors. Abutted at ground floor by three small returns; that to the west being double height with cat-slide roof and timber entrance door: two single-storey returns to east. Gable has single window opening to all floors; modern replacement timber window to ground floor. Exposed section to south with two openings to upper floors at left side; right side is blank; abutted at ground floor by single-storey extension with modern timber door and timber window.

South elevation is abutted by adjoining building (HB23/20/058B)

Set in mature secluded grounds to the north of Victoria Road on the outskirts of Holywood.

Setting:

Double tarmacadam entrance with painted masonry gate piers. Large mature garden to front with mature trees and hedgerow; to rear is Martello Tower (HB23/20/059) and mature garden with garages and timber fence.

Roof: natural slate
Walling: brick
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

This terrace dates from c.1860 and is first shown on the third edition OS map of 1900-02. Victoria Road began to be developed during this period to provide homes for merchants and professional people who were attracted by the opening of the railway in 1848, affording easy access to Belfast. This mercantile and professional class was experiencing increasing prosperity and sought healthier and more attractive surroundings. The terrace was built beside a disused windmill that has, at times, been referred to as a ‘Martello Tower’, perhaps having performed that function during the Napoleonic wars. The windmill was in use until the 1840’s. (Merrick, p.5, 55)

The terrace is listed in Griffith’s Valuation fieldbook as ‘Martello Crescent’. The current house is occupied by John Hunter and is a house, yard and small garden with a valuation of £45 for buildings, later raised to £48. The rent is £60 yearly plus taxes. Dimensions are given for the house and return and it is leased from William Linden. This house and its neighbour are built by 1860, numbers three and four being still ‘in progress’ at this time.

William Ward is in occupation by 1874 and in 1883 the valuation is reduced to £40. The group is renamed ‘Martello Terrace’ in 1887. A succession of occupiers follow: Christiana Kingland (1887), William H Shepherd (1889), William K McCord (1915), and Elizabeth Suffern (1919) who becomes the immediate lessor in 1923. By 1929 Charlotte King is in residence.

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/3/18A – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
6. PRONI VAL/12/A/3/55 – Valuer’s Notebook (1912-22)
7. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
8. PRONI VAL/12/E/123/1/1-6 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1860-c1866)
9. 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
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A substantial three-storey three-bay Victorian red-brick end-terrace house, built c.1860. The second storey extension detracts significantly from the overall character of the building. The conversion into apartments has affected the original floor-plan and resulted in some modernisation of the interior. Despite this, the building does have definite quality and character and forms part of a group that represents the expansion of Holywood after the coming of the railway. The most significant historic elements are of good quality and are largely intact.

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered, It was previously recorded as HB23/20/058