'D & A Garages'

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large disused garage building of perhaps c.1920s, with Belfast Truss roof and render and corrugated metal façade, a significant part of which was demolished at some point. The building is located to the E of Ferry Street, set well back from the line of the terrace.

The structure has an irregular ‘rhomboid’ plan form measuring roughly 16.5m to the S and widening to 24m to the N, however it is quite short, measuring roughly 8m. The S and E elevations could not be seen due to the proximity of other properties. The W elevation is in roughcast render with the uppermost quarter in corrugated metal. To the left hand side there is a large vehicle doorway with timber sliding door. To the far left hand side there extends a tall breeze block wall, to left of which is a blocked up window. The broad N elevation is almost entirely in corrugated metal with a large vehicle doorway to right of centre with metal-sheeted double door. The curved roof is also in corrugated metal.

Historical information

This building may date from c.1920. It was originally much longer, with the section to the north end demolished at some point. The property was last used a commercial garage but is now vacant and virtually derelict.

The Belfast truss was developed in the mid-nineteenth century to meet the demand for efficient, lightweight and long span roofs brought about by the industrial revolution. A detailed description of the historical development of the Belfast truss is included in the record for HB18/08/139. In brief, the first known reference to a curved wooden felted roof structure supported by bowstring girders is in an advertisement in the Dublin Builder for 1866 by the Belfast firm of felt-makers, McTear & Co. McTear’s continued making trusses until they went out of business in 1908.

A second Belfast felt supplier, Anderson & Co., began to produce trusses, to a slightly different design, in 1886. In 1896, Anderson’s launched their Mk II version; promoted as maximising long spans whilst maintaining light weight. This model was subsequently used by other companies, and is referred to by historians as the Belfast truss, although this term is widely used to apply to all timber bowstring trusses where the internal bracing members meet not on the bottom of the truss as was the convention but on the top curved member.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large disused, and now much dilapidated garage building of perhaps c.1920, with Belfast Truss roof and render and corrugated metal façade, a significant part of which was demolished at some point.

General comments

Surveyed as part of the Belfast Roof Truss survey.