69-85 High Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Long, late Edwardian stepped terrace of 9 house with projecting square bays, built on the slope on the NW side of the SW end of High Street.

Nos.69–73 and 81–85 have large gables to the front and small gables to the rear. The remainder of the properties (to the centre) are of a slightly different design, without front gables.

To the front each house has a small garden with a decorative quarry tiled path. To the rear is a yard enclosed with a high rendered brick wall. A cinder covered path (right of way) extends along the entire rear of the terrace and allows for vehicle access and parking. To the N side of the access are individual gardens.

To the right is a half glazed timber panelled door with a plain fan light. To the left is a projecting square bay with slightly rounded corners. To the front of the bay is a paired arrangement of sash windows with the lower sash without astrigals and the upper with horizontal and vertical astragals (in typical Edwardian fashion). The window opening has a segmental arch head with a fine pilaster to the broad mullion and decorative fret work below the arch. A continuous bracketed ‘lean-to’ roof gives cover to the bay and shelter to the front door. To the first floor is a similar paired window.

The rear of has a timber door to the centre and a sash window to the either side. To the first floor is a single sash window set with in the small gable. To the W side of the yard are single storey mono pitch out houses out houses which originally contained an outside WC and fuel store.

It would appear that the rear façade of each house were all broadly similar when built but many ad hoc alterations have been made. Changes include, the addition of small first floor windows, (presumably for new bathrooms) and the enlarging of the ground floor kitchen windows.

The terrace is finished in painted rough cast. For many years the colour has remained pink and locally this has attracted the nick-name of ‘Strawberry Row’. The main roofs are gabled and are finished in Bangor Blue Slate. The rendered chimney stacks have a mixture of pots, some matching and some not. Cast iron rw goods.

Historical information

The terrace was built c.1915-20, by the owners of the near by Andrews flax spinning mill to house their workers.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.4189 Andrews Papers
2 EHS Slide of photograph of Brae Side / High Street c.1910.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Substantially complete long two storey late Edwardian terrace containing nine houses, with projecting square bays. The three properties to the centre of the terrace are of a slightly different design.