25 Bridge Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey house of possible pre 1834 origin set in the terrace on the S side of Bridge Street.

Front (N) façade has a modern glazed and PVC doorway to the centre left on the ground floor with plain pilasters, entablature and cornice. To the left of this is a window with simple moulded surround and recently installed PVC frame (most of the windows have similar frames). To the right of the doorway (but set a further distance away than that to the left), is another similar window. To the first floor are three smaller windows, set in line with the ground floor openings.

The E gable is blank.

To the centre and left on the ground floor at the rear there is a small single storey lean to. To the S this lean to links to a long row of single storey outbuildings. To the E face of the lean to there is a partly glazed door and tiny fixed light window. To the right of the lean to (on the main rear façade) there is a window. To the first floor are three windows of slightly differing size. All have PVC frames, but that to the centre has stained glass.

The whole façade is finished in lined render with chamfered quoins to front and base to front and gabled. The whole façade is painted but paint work to the rear is now discoloured. The roof is gabled and covered in natural slate with red clay parapets. Two rendered chimney stacks. Cast iron rw goods. Wrought iron gate to gable.

Historical information

This site is shown occupied on the Comber town map of 1722 and all other maps thereafter. The valuation records of 1834 give dimensions for a building on this site which appear to match the present house, so it seems probable that the current dwelling was present at that stage, and, if the valuers’ judgements are correct, was of reasonable age at that stage. The property at this stage is noted as the home of a Mrs. Armstrong.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.654/M1B/2 Londonderry Papers- ‘Survey of the town, tenements and parks of Comber…1722’.
2 PRONI D.654/M54/3, 11, 27, 33, 37 Londonderry Papers- Maps of Bridge Street 1793-1833.
3 PRONI VAL 1B/316A p.62 1st valuation, Comber, 1834.
4 PRONI OS/1/3/10 OS map, 1st ed. 1834, Down 10.
5 PRONI OS/6/3/10/3 OS map, 1st rev. 1858, Down 10.
6 PRONI 2nd valuation, Comber, 1861. [In print in PRONI search room and in the Linen Hall Library- the town plan to accompany this valuation is missing.]
7 PRONI OS/2/3/10 OS map, 2nd ed. 1901, Down 10.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Two storey terrace house of probable pre 1834 origin. The window frames are now all PVC, as is the front door.