Phoenix Bar

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A gabled three-bay two-and-a-half-storey red-brick public house, built during the late 19th century, forming an end terrace and located on the eastern side of the Antrim Road. Rectangular on plan with moulded detailing, gabled central bay and symmetrical upper floors over a modern shopped ground floor.

Steeply pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge-tiles; brick chimney to each gable end; brick parapet to west elevation over heavily corbelled eaves; corner pilasters rise from over ground floor shop through to parapets and topped by spherical finials. Gabled central attic bay having pitched roof, single cusped-headed window to centre, framed by similar pilasters to outer sides and a finial to apex of gable. Concealed rainwater goods with uPVC downpipes. Walling is largely red brick laid to Flemish bond (unless otherwise stated) embellished with mouldings, string courses and foliated terracotta insets. Windows are all timber or metal replacements; openings are generally pairs of segmental headed openings separated by painted foliated columns and having projecting keystones and labels over, with moulded panels inset below continuous cill course (unless otherwise stated). Gabled two-storey extension to rear with further mono-pitched extension abutting to east gable (of no interest).

Principal elevation faces west, three bays wide with a pair of windows at first floor on either side of canted bay window to centre which has lead capped roof over (windows are obstructed by modern signage). Entire ground floor has been built out in front of main elevation with modern rendered and painted shop front inserted, having a heavy projecting fascia carried on masonry columns; entrance doors are also modern and of no interest.

North elevation is gabled and blank; rendered and painted across ground floor with vestiges of traditional painted signage or a mural, remaining across upper level. Far-left side is chamfered, one opening wide, which forms part of the rear elevation in conjunction with the right cheek of the rear return (below).

Eastern elevation of main building is abutted to centre and right-side by two-storey slated and gabled return which is angled toward south-east and obstructs view of remaining east elevation. Remains of brick chimney to gable end, abutted by small mono-pitched extension (of no interest); right cheek is plainly detailed with modern openings and few features of interest; ground floor is rendered but upper floor is red-brick laid to English garden wall bond; windows are a mix of timber sash, metal frame and modern timber casement; view of left cheek could not be gained due to obstructed views.

South elevation abutted by adjoining terrace.

Setting
Located on the eastern side of the Antrim Road, opposite the junction with Cliftonville Road, the building terminates the end of a terrace which extends southward. A passageway to the north leads to a small rear yard which is bounded by a modern brick wall to the east and the gable of a neighbouring structure to the north. A metal gate is attached to the north gable, closing the rear yard. Terraced houses are located to the east while St James’ Church of Ireland (HB26/42/002) is situated a short distance to the north-west.

Roof : Slate
RWG: Cast-iron and replacement uPVC
Walling: Red brick
Windows : Replacement timber / metal casements

Historical information

The current building was constructed in 1894-5 as a licensed premises for Patrick Leonard, wine merchant. Leonard had built a shop and billiard room elsewhere on the Antrim Road ten years previously and it is possible that the same architect, Edward J Byrne, provided designs for the present building but this is speculative (ww.dia.ie). The building is first shown on the fourth edition of 1901-2.

Premises on the site were occupied from at least the 1870s by Edward Hughes, spirit merchant, followed by his wife Elizabeth. In 1894, valuers note that the site has been cleared and in 1895 a new licensed house and yard valued at £70 was recorded. The cost was £2500. Shortly after construction, the building, together with goodwill and license, was purchased for £4,180 by James Fleming, tea, wine and spirit merchant who ran a public house on the premises until the 1940s. By 1960 the pub had been taken over by Phoenix Wine and Spirit Stores Ltd and continues under the same ownership to this day (Street Directories; Valuation records).

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/61/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1901-2
2. PRONI OS/6/1/61/6 – Sixth Edition OS Map 1931
3. PRONI VAL/7/B/4/1 Belfast Revaluation 1900
4. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/B/1-45 (1863-1930)
5. Street Directories 1908-1995

Secondary Sources

1. www.dia.ie

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A two-storey-with-attic, three-bay red-brick Victorian public house built c. 1895. Although of interest in the locale the building ahs been compromised by alterations and the loss of historic fabric and detailing. It is of a relatively late date and a common type and not of special architectural or historic interest.