Pavilion

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single storey hipped roof Neo-Georgian style pavilion constructed in 1936 by the Ministry of Finance, NI. Rectangular floor plan facing south, located on the north side of Massey Avenue within the grounds of the Stormont Estate. Situated opposite the entrance lodge and adjacent to the decorative gates and screens (both listed under HB26/13/021) designed by Arnold Thornley, who was also the Architect for Parliament Buildings (HB26/13/013).

Hipped natural slate roof with overhanging eaves having sheeted soffit, lead rolled hips and ridge, half round painted metal guttering discharging to circular metal downpipes. Concrete frame is expressed as geometric pilasters externally; windows are small-paned fixed lights with concrete cills having rendered panel below.

Principal Elevation
Principal elevation is symmetrical, facing south and consists of 3 bays. Central square-headed opening; end bays have 12-pane fixed lights. Short concrete ramp to interior flanked by low concrete kerbing and tubular metal handrail, supported on circular section posts with ball finial.

West Elevation
Single bay west elevation consists of tri-partite window with 12-pane central light flanked by 6-pane lights.

East Elevation
Single bay east elevation consists of tri-partite window with 12-pane central light flanked by 6-pane lights.

North Elevation
Three bay north elevation is symmetrical and consists of central tri-partite window consisting of three 6-pane lights flanked by 12-pane lights.

Setting
Situated on the north side of Massey Avenue within the grounds of the Stormont Estate, opposite the entrance lodge and adjacent to the decorative gates and screens (both listed under HB26/13/021) designed by Arnold Thornley, who was also the Architect for Parliament Buildings (HB26/13/013).

The building sits on a shallow concrete plinth forming a narrow pathway to the north, east and west sides which are lawned. Asphalt footpath to south with concrete ramp giving access to interior of shelter.

Historical information

This shelter, a single-storey pavilion located at the Massey Avenue entrance to Stormont, was constructed in 1936. The Massey Avenue entrance to the Stormont Estate had been laid out by 1931. The entrance was depicted on the Ordnance Survey County Series Map of 1931 along with the adjoining gate piers, gate lodge and the Provincial Bank of Ireland at No. 33 Massey Avenue. The single-storey shelter was added to the site in 1936 and was first depicted on the Ordnance Survey County Series Map of 1938 along its current layout.

The First Survey Record (1994) suggests that the shelter was designed by architects contracted by the Ministry of Finance NI. The specific architect of the shelter is unknown, however it is clear that he based his design on the work already carried out at Stormont by Arnold Thornely (1870-1953). In addition to Parliament Buildings, Thornely had also designed the estate’s gateways and gate lodges, as well as the former Provincial Bank on Massey Avenue. Gallagher states that Thornely’s layout of the buildings and grounds at Stormont ‘represent one of the most outstanding architectural sights in Ireland … the magnificent processional avenue, lined with lime and yew trees, leads the visitor from the main gates, past the statue of Lord Carson, to the foot of the famous ‘sixty steps’ of Parliament Buildings (Gallagher, p. 76). The shelter at the Massey Avenue entrance to Stormont was designed in a similar Neo-Georgian style to Thornely’s adjoining gate lodge and Provincial Bank of Ireland, and possessed similar features such as a hipped roof.

The First Survey Record described the shelter in the following terms: ‘A single-storey hipped roofed pavilion with small paned windows in symmetrical elevations. Concrete corner posts and rendered panels between. Neat and seemly for such an important approach road.’

References

Primary Sources
1. PRONI OS/6/3/5/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1901-02)
2. PRONI OS/6/3/5/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1919-20)
3. PRONI OS/6/3/5/5 – Fifth Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1938-39)
4. PRONI OS/10/3/5/5/3 – Ordnance Survey County Series Map (1931)
5. PRONI OS/10/3/5/5/4 – Ordnance Survey County Series Map (1938)
6. First Survey Record – HB26/13/042 (1994)

Secondary Sources
1. ‘Parliament Buildings Stormont: The building, its setting, uses and restoration 1922-1998’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1999.
2. Gallagher, J., ‘Stormont: The house on the hill’ Belfast: Booklink, 2008.
3. Larmour, P., ‘Belfast: An illustrated architectural guide’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1987.

Online Resources
1. Dictionary of Irish Architects - http://www.dia.ie

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Single storey hipped roof Neo-Georgian style pavilion constructed in 1936 by the Ministry of Finance, NI. Rectangular floor plan facing south, located on the north side of Massey Avenue within the grounds of the Stormont Estate. Prominently situated opposite the Massey Avenue entrance lodge and adjacent to the decorative gates and screens (both listed under HB26/13/021) designed by Arnold Thornley, who was also the Architect for Parliament Buildings (HB26/13/013). Simply detailed and well-proportioned, the building reflects the style of the other buildings on the Estate and makes a positive contribution within its setting. A similar structure is located to the east, (beyond the statue of Lord Carson) in a woodland setting (HB26.13.052B).