50-56 Regent Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Varied two storey terrace near the W end of the S side of Regent Street, built in various stages from c.1850-c.1863.

No.50 is at the E end of the terrace and was built c.1860-63 as the manse to serve the Methodist church to its immediate E. It has a sandstone facade with brick dressings to most openings. The front (N) facade is symmetrical with a central timber panelled and glazed door with segmental arch fanlight, all set within a segmental arch headed recess with simple architrave. To the left of the doorway is a large tripartite sash window with segmental arch head and horizontal glazing bars. To the right of the doorway is a similar window. To the first floor are three single sash similar styled windows with margin panes.

The E gable has a narrow-ish window to the centre on both floors. In the centre of the rear is a long two storey gabled return. The E face of the return has three windows to the first floor, much as first floor front (only smaller and minus margins). To the ground floor are three similar shaped windows but with an odd variety of frames. To the far left on this floor is a doorway with rendered surround (as if it were a later insertion). To the gable of the return is a modern single storey extension with a flat roof. The upper floor of the gable has a sash window (with horizontal glazing bars). It was not possible to get a clear view of the whole of the W face of the return, but it is clear that the facade itself was ‘chamfered’, narrowing towards its S end and that there is a window (as first floor front) to the left on the first floor. This facade is finished in plain render, as is the return gable.

To the right hand side of the main rear facade is a window to the each floor, as first floor front. To the left hand side first floor is a similar window, but without glazing bars. The ground floor on this side could not be seen.

The roof is covered in Bangor blue slates. Two rendered chimney stacks. Cast iron rw goods. Rendered parapets.

No.52 This former house pre dates No.50 but has probably witnessed more alteration. The front facade has a doorway to the far left with simply decorated ‘Ards’ surround, semicircular fanlight and panelled door. To the right of this are three sash windows with cheval de fris. To the far right is a narrow-ish doorway with panelled door and plain fanlight. Laminated sign board above door. To the first floor are three windows as ground floor. The front facade is finished in painted render with chamfered quoins. Corbelled eaves course.

To the left at the rear is a long two storey return with a variety of mid 20th century window to its W facade and a gabled roof with corrugated asbestos covering.

Across the whole of the ground floor of the main rear facade is a dilapidated looking lean to section. The left hand portion of this section may be quite old as it has sash window with horizontal glazing bars, but the right hand portion is mainly glazed (conservatory-like) and is probably a mid 20th century addition. The roof of this whole lean to section is partly covered in corrugated asbestos, with some glazed panels. To the first floor of the main facade are two sash windows, as lean to. The main rear facade is finished in plain render.

The roof is Bangor blue slated at the front but covered in asbestos slates at the rear. Three rendered chimney stacks. The W side of this property is built on the squint. Cast iron rw goods.

No.54-56 is a large pub. The front facade has a recent pub front (with central double doors, flanking windows and long timber sign board). To the left of this is a large elliptical arch headed carriage entrance with metal gates and simple surround. To the right of the pub front is a sash window with simple surround, tall wrought iron ‘cheval de frise’ and panelled apron. To the right of this is a similar window, then another entrance to the pub with panelled door, large sidelights and elliptical arch fanlight over all. To the right of this are two sash windows, with simple surround and ‘cheval de frise’. To the first floor are 8 sash windows, resting on a cill course. Large projecting ‘period’ style lamps to first floor front facade.

To the ground floor rear is a large single storey flat roofed section with modern openings. Above this most of the former openings are now blocked, with only 4 in still in evidence and only two (at the right) with (modern) frames. The section to the right (above the carriage arch) is slightly recessed and appears to have been built along with No.52.

The front facade is finished in lined render and painted. Chamfered quoins and base to front. The rear is mainly finished in plain painted render, with the far right portion currently without render (revealing sandstone construction).

The roof is covered in Bangor blue slates with two yellow brick chimney stacks. Cast iron and PVC rw goods.
The E end of the building is on the squint.

Large outbuildings to rear, currently undergoing repair/restoration.

Historical information

On the OS map of 1858 buildings are shown on the site of the current Nos.52-56. No.50, which was built as the manse for the neighbouring Methodist church, was added at some point between the former date and 1863, as it is listed in the valuation of that year. This particular property remained as a manse until c.1991, when it became an architects’ office. No.52 appears to have been an office when first surveyed in October 1972 and No.56 still a house.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS Maps, 1st rev. 1858-60, Co. Down 6.
2 PRONI 2nd valuation, Newtownards parish, Newtownards (Corporation Nth), 1863.

Secondary sources
1 Trevor McCavery 'Newtown: a history of Newtownards' (Dundonald 1994), pp.86-88, 109, 121, 146.
2 Trevor McCavery 'A Covenant Community: a history of Newtownards Reformed Presbyterian Church' (Newtownards 1997), pp.57-58.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Disparate two storey terrace block, probably built at various stages between c.1840s-c.1863. No.50 appears to be the youngest of the properties dating from c.1860. It was built as a manse and is now an architects’ office and its facade and interior layout are largely intact, though much internal detail has been lost. No.52 has an oddly arranged front facade and interior suggesting major alterations at some point. The largest portion of the terrace is taken up with No.54-56 which is a large pub. The front facade of this property has maintained its traditional appearance, but the rear and interior have been substantially altered.