Shop ('Nova Tiles')

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Small single storey terrace shop of perhaps c.1930 with Belfast Truss roof, stepped parapet and large glazed shop front. The property is set on the S side of University Street, close to the the junction with Ormeau Road.

The shop is set between two much taller earlier houses (now offices). It is rectangular in plan form and measures roughly 17.7m x 7.3. The front (N) elevation is dominated by a full width shop front which is largely glazed (nine tall lights) and incorporates a central (glazed) double door. Above the shop front the rendered façade rises into a stepped (somewhat ‘Art-Deco’ style) parapet with plain coping. Just below parapet level is a recent laminated shop sign with smaller (and possibly original) roundel signs to either side (which show the street number). The writers were unable to gain access to the rear to see the rear elevation.

The curved roof could not be seen from outside but internal observation suggests it is covered with corrugated metal and has a central ‘gabled’ rooflight with plain glazing.

Building since demolished.

Historical information

This building does not appear on the OS map of 1921. It may date from c.1930.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/1/61/4 OS map, Co Antrim sh 61, 1921

The Belfast truss was developed in the mid-nineteenth century to meet the demand for efficient, lightweight and long span roofs brought about by the industrial revolution. A detailed description of the historical development of the Belfast truss is included in the record for HB18/08/139. In brief, the first known reference to a curved wooden felted roof structure supported by bowstring girders is in an advertisement in the Dublin Builder for 1866 by the Belfast firm of felt-makers, McTear & Co. McTear’s continued making trusses until they went out of business in 1908.

A second Belfast felt supplier, Anderson & Co., began to produce trusses, to a slightly different design, in 1886. In 1896, Anderson’s launched their Mk II version; promoted as maximising long spans whilst maintaining light weight. This model was subsequently used by other companies, and is referred to by historians as the Belfast truss, although this term is widely used to apply to all timber bowstring trusses where the internal bracing members meet not on the bottom of the truss as was the convention but on the top curved member.

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed
Not listed

Evaluation

Small single storey terrace shop of perhaps c.1930 with Belfast Truss roof, stepped parapet and large glazed shop front. A relatively rare and seemingly well preserved example of a small Belfast Truss-roofed building. Building has since been demolished.

General comments

Surveyed as part of the Belfast Roof Truss survey.

Property demolished - proposed listing abandoned