30 Malone Park, Belfast BT9 6NJ

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached, three-bay, two-storey, red brick late Victorian house with a symmetrical facade and hipped roof, built c.1890, located on the N side of Malone Park in South Belfast. One of a number of large private residences, in a large private garden and screened from view by mature planting. Rectangular plan with single-storey canted bays; three-storey red brick return to rear (NE) elevation and single-storey hipped roof addition with glazed lantern, further abutted by a lean-to garden room.

Pie-ended natural slate roof with leaded ridges and hips, central section bounded by ornate metal cresting; three redbrick chimneystacks, rising from the wall-head of each secondary elevation respectively, each with three yellow terracotta pots. Gauged brick egg-and-dart corniced eaves support original profile cast iron rainwater goods. Flemish bonded redbrick walling over brick plinth; simple stringcourses to lintel and cill levels; ornate studded stringcourse between floors and forming a cornice to all canted bays. Square-headed window openings to ground floor having incised stone lintels; segmental-headed openings to first floor with gauged brick hood mouldings; windows are 1/1 timber sliding sash with horns throughout, all over projecting cills.

Principal elevation faces south-west, and is symmetrically arranged with canted bays to either side of main entrance, each bay having three windows, and brick parapet detailed with terracotta paterae. First floor windows are paired to either side, with single window to centre, aligned with the entrance below. Principal entrance comprises a round-headed opening set in a tall, slightly projected brick surround inset with polished granite half-colonettes, having sandstone capitals, impost mouldings and base, brick archivolt with pointed sandstone keystone and studded cornice; there are (painted?) paterae to spandrels. Original timber door with six bolection moulded pointed panels and plain overlight, accessed via four bull-nosed steps.

NW elevation not accessible at time of survey.

NE elevation is abutted by three-storey return, plainly detailed with pitched natural slate roof and timber fascia. Variety of window openings in plain reveals, including margin-paned stairwell windows. The addition has a hipped roof with glazed cupola with tall pyramidal roof with finial and original profiled rainwater goods; a lean-to garden room abuts to E side, fully glazed with obscured glass over a brick plinth.

SE elevation has a canted bay to right side, closely flanked by an additional single window, and with a pair of windows aligned directly over. The left side is dominated by a projecting chimneybreast.

Setting:
Located on the N side of Malone Park, one of a number of large private residences, in a large private garden and screened from view by mature planting. Vehicular entrance to south west, accessed via a gravel drive.

Roof: Slate
Walling: Brick
RWG: Cast iron
Windows: Timber sliding sash with single glazing

Historical information

Built c.1890, 30 Malone Park first appears on the third edition OS map (1901). Referred to in the valuation revisions and street directories as 'Lumeah,' the earliest recorded occupant of the house was Albert Dent, who leased the property from James Milling. The house at this time was valued at £34. By 1897 Dr William H.Elwood, dentist, was residing in the house, which was let by James Reid. The value of the house more than doubled to £70 after the addition of a conservatory to the rear c.1897. By 1915 the house was being let by James Gallagher, who lived next door at no.32. It can be assumed that Gallagher carried out some improvement works on the house at this time as the property value increased to £83. By 1918 the house was occupied by William H.Turtle, linen manufacturer, who lived there until c.1930 when Mrs R. Black took residence. The original coach house, located west of the house, was demolished c.1999 for the erection of a new double garage.

Malone Park developed as one of a number of residential suburbs, providing 'gentlemens' seats', outside the confines of the city, for those who had amassed industrial fortunes during the expansion and success of Belfast's industrial growth. Malone Park was one of the most prestigious of these avenues, serving as the last stop on the tram line that served the city centre.

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/64/2 Second Edition OS map (1823)
2. PRONI OS/6/1/64/3 Third Edition OS map (1901)
3. PRONI VAL/12/B/5/6E General Valuation of Ireland – Annual Revisions (1882-1897)
4. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/P/1 General Valuation of Ireland – Annual Revisions (1897-1905)
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/P/4 General Valuation of Ireland – Annual Revisions (1906-1915)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/P/7 General Valuation of Ireland – Annual Revisions (1916-1930)
7. PRONI Street Directories 1901-1992
8. Planning reference Z/1999/0619

Secondary Sources

1. Larmour, Paul ‘The Architectural Heritage of Malone and Stranmillis’ Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1991

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

S. Authenticity
R. Age
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Large, red brick, detached, former gentleman's residence, of two storeys and three bays with cresting to the roof, built in the late nineteenth century as part of a prestigious avenue development for Belfast's wealthiest residents, providing a high quality residential environment outside the city. Located on the north side of Malone Park, the residence sits within its original setting of mature gardens laid in lawn, well screened from the road. The house retains its original late Victorian proportions, being composed on symmetrical plan. Much original external historic fabric and detailing remains, including gauged brick detailing, relieved by occasional contrasting sandstone and granite, and of particular note is the fine doorcase with original bolection moulded panelled door. This is a fine example of a late Victorian residence built in the then-suburbs of a growing city, which retains its original fine setting.