22a Cadogan Park

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical three-bay two-storey Arts and Crafts style house in private grounds, built c.1940, located on the N side of Cadogan Park in South Belfast. L-shaped ridge, with full-height return to NW, and fronted by two full-height bowed bays with projecting hipped roofs. That to left projects more deeply. Variety of single-storey and two-storey abutments to rear (N) elevation.

Hipped Rosemary tiled roof with terracotta ridge tiles, deeply overhanging and supported on substantial timber eaves brackets; three tall brown brick chimneystacks, replacement pots; half-round gutters (appear to be replacement). Painted wetdash render walling over brown brick plinth. Square-headed window openings, plain reveals, painted projecting cills, painted metal-framed casement windows with lattice leaded cames, behind secondary glazing.

Principal elevation faces south, with projecting bowed bays to either side of the main entrance, which is set back. Bowed bays have six-light windows, two-light window over central entrance. Principal entrance comprises a square-headed opening set in brown brick surround; Rosemary tiled canopy over on timber brackets, original painted timber multi-pane glazed door with matching sidelights, accessed via two tiled steps.

W elevation has two windows aligned to left, and projecting chimneybreast to right side.

N elevation abutted by number of single- and two-storey hipped roof additions, detailed as main building; a lean-to canopy abuts W side. Square-headed door opening having eight-pane transom light over painted timber door.

E elevation is dominated by projecting chimneybreast.

Setting:
Located on the N side of Cadogan Park, one of a number of large private residences, in a large private garden and partially screened from view by mature hedge. Vehicular entrance to SW, accessed via a tarmac drive.

Roof: Rosemary tiles
Walling: Painted dash render
RWG: Replacement extruded metal
Windows: Metal casements

Historical information

No.22A Cadogan Park was built c.1940. The land on which the house was built was owned by Frank Workman. Brothers John and Robert Workman moved from Saltcoats in Ayrshire to Belfast in the early 19th century, whereupon they became deeply involved in the religious life of the town, helping to fund the building of May Street Presbyterian Church, as well as being leading proponents of the industrial expansion of Belfast. John's grandsons, George and Thomas Workman, established many companies throughout the 1880s, most notably the Irish Weaving Company, Workman and Clark Shipbuilders and a series of residential development companies which played a key role in the late Victorian suburban expansion of Belfast, most notably along the Holywood Road in the east and the Malone and Lisburn Roads to the south.

Built on a gap site valued at 15 shillings c.1930 located between no.22 to the west and no.24 to the east, the street directory notes that in 1940 No.22A was in the course of erection. The first occupant was an F.F.Gowan, who lived there between 1942 and 1946, followed by J.M.Wright between 1945 and 1954. The house was occupied by Frederick J.P. McKibbin from 1955 to 1960 and then by J.J.Leahy, company director, from 1961 to 1981. Elizabeth Gilmer lived here from 1982.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A large detached, two-storey three-bay house with two-storey bowed bays located in Cadogan Park in South Belfast, built in c.1940 in an Arts & Crafts style. Construction began during WWII, a period when most construction was halted, and a period which saw few houses constructed in South Belfast due to war time economies. The land on which the house was built was owned by the Workman family, leading proponents of the industrial expansion of Belfast who established many companies throughout the 1880s, most notably the Irish Weaving Company, Workman and Clark Shipbuilders and a series of residential development companies which played a key role in the late Victorian suburban expansion of Belfast, most notably along the Holywood Road in the east and the Malone and Lisburn Roads to the south. This dwelling retains much original historic fabric and detailing such as its Rosemary tiled roof and leaded lattice windows. It is significant for its particular construction date, during WWII, for the connection with the Workman family and for the authenticity of much of its historic fabric and detailing.