109-111 Royal Avenue

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Terraced symmetrical multi-bay four-storey with attic neo-classical sandstone former bank building, built c.1885, to the designs of John Lanyon with pedimented breakfronts to either end. Rectangular on plan facing west located on the east side of Royal Avenue. Extensively renovated c.2000 for use as an arts centre and interconnected with No.113 (HB26/50/066B).

Flat roof with steep natural slate pitch to the front having roll-moulded black clay ridge tiles. Large profiled rendered chimneystacks with clay pots rising from both party walls. Replacement square-profile steel guttering to either end. Roof set back behind balustraded parapet wall with a central round-headed dormer flanked by decorative profiled sandstone chimneystacks and surmounted by a ball finial. The breakfronts to either end have two square-headed openings with balustraded screens and recessed window openings. Each breakfront is surmounted by a full pediment and an urn to the apex, while the entire attic storey rests on a continuous cornice. Sandstone ashlar walling with a stepped moulded stone plinth course. Generally square-headed window openings with moulded architrave surrounds having single-pane timber sash windows, timber casement to the oriels.

Symmetrical front elevation is five windows wide with an entrance to both breakfronts and a two-storey box oriel window above both entrances. The central three windows are slightly set back and defined by Giant Ionic order polished pink granite columns to the first and second floors. The third floor windows have lugged and kneed architrave surrounds with foliate carvings to the frieze above, those to either breakfront being bipartite with a central stone mullion also having foliate carving. The second floor windows have kneed architrave surrounds and moulded sills supported on foliate brackets and a Greek key course at sill level. The first floor windows are segmental-headed flanked by engaged pilasters to continuous impost mouldings with Greek key course, decorative overpanels with foliate spandrels, foliate keystones and foliate cornice over. The recessed bay is defined by the granite columns set on sandstone plinth blocks rising from a pierced balustrade in turn resting on a fluted cornice framing the ground floor. Responding quarter engaged pink granite Ionic pilasters to either end of the recessed three bays abutting both oriel windows all supporting an architrave and pulvinated frieze below a modillioned cornice below the third floor. The first floor windows are flanked by half-fluted clasping Corinthian pilasters and foliate apron panel. Each oriel is flanked by a giant pilaster with overscaled foliate console brackets. Round-headed window openings to the ground floor with moulded archivolts springing from impost mouldings forming piers between windows having polished pink granite panels. Roundels adorn the spandrels with mosaic monographs while the openings have carved ancons. Round-headed door openings to either end with replacement double-leaf timber paneled doors and square overlights having polished pink granite surrounds, moulded archivolts springing from impost mouldings and flanked by decorative pilasters with foliate carved panels and surmounted by over-scaled console brackets with swags, supporting the oriels above.

North side elevation abutted by adjoining building No. 113 (HB26/50/066B).

Rear elevation abutted by flat-roofed extensions and an original three-storey return, not visible.

South side elevation abutted by adjoining building No.111.

Setting:
Street-fronted and located on the east side of Royal Avenue. Rear yard now occupied by flat-roofed extensions.

Roof : Natural slate
RWG : Replacement steel
Walling : Coursed sandstone ashlar
Windows: Single-pane timber sash

Historical information

The Northern Bank in Royal Avenue was in progress in March 1884 and formally opened for business on 2nd January 1885. Designed by John Lanyon, the contractors were Messrs Silo & Matthews of Great George’s Street. The building is first shown on the large-scale plan of Belfast dating from 1894-5.

The exterior of the building was of cut stone from the Dungannon quarries on Lord Ranfurly’s demesne. Decorative columns, pilasters, panels and reveals were of polished Shap granite and the plinth was of polished Castlewellan granite. External stone carving was by ‘Mr Gilliland’, while Riddel & Co provided ornamental ironwork and bells, as well as heating and plumbing. (Belfast Newsletter) The two narrow end pavilions originally had open loggias at the attic storey that are now glazed. (Larmour) The bank office was on the ground floor, entered by doors at either side. Internally, mahogany and walnut panelling covered the dado while the upper parts of the walls and the ceilings were clad in Norway deal. The supporting columns were also covered in mahogany with capitals in sycamore. A mahogany counter with walnut balustrading surrounded compartments for clerks. The floors were laid with Minton’s encaustic tiles and the building was heated by hot water, with a fireplace in the manager’s office. The first floor was laid out as a suite of offices, known as Northern Bank Chambers, that were let to John Lanyon, the architect of the building. The second and third floors were living accommodation for the manager with caretaker’s apartments situated on the attic floor. As was usual at this period, the safe could be bolted from the manager’s bedroom and all modern conveniences were provided such as electric bells, speaking tubes and electric thief and fire alarms. Purdy & Millard, later to be the sculptors of decorative work on the Scottish Provident Building, executed the internal carving. (Belfast Newsletter; www.dia.ie) A sum of £1200 was paid for the site and the cost of construction was £9021. (Valuation records)

The 1901 census lists the bank manager, William Roberts, as resident with his wife and five children, his 34-year-old son working as a cashier in the Water Commissioner’s office, and another son as a solicitor. Accommodation listed in valuation records comprised two sitting rooms, three bedrooms and a WC on the second floor and three further bedrooms and a servant’s bedroom on the third floor. Also resident was the caretaker, James Scott, who lived with his wife and four children, his eldest son of 15 years, working as a clerk in a rope works. His accommodation in the attic comprised two bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen and pantry. (1901 census; Valuation records)

Valuation records of 1900 value the bank offices at £580 and the first floor offices which were by then being sublet to Biggar and Strahan, solicitors, at £80. The manager is recorded in valuer’s notes as very critical of the building – he felt that the two small safes were inadequate for the bank and that the ornamentation, especially of the interior, was excessive. (Valuation records)

The Northern Bank continued to occupy the premises until the 1990s with various firms occupying the upper floors. (Street Directories) The building was restored in 2002 and now houses a gallery on the ground floor with offices on upper floors. (http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/8/30/4-4A – Large-scale plan of Belfast 1894-5
2. PRONI OS/6/1/61/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1901-2
3. PRONI OS/6/1/61/6 – Sixth Edition OS Map 1931
4. PRONI VAL/7/B/9/23 – Belfast Revaluation 1900
5. Street Directories
6. 1901 census online
7. Belfast Newsletter, 2nd January 1885
8. Photographic collections - http://catalogue.nli.ie

Secondary Sources

1. Brett, C.E.B. “Buildings of Belfast 1700-1914” Belfast: Friar’s Bush Press, revised edition 1985
2. Larmour, P “Belfast, An Illustrated Architectural Guide” Belfast: Friar’s Bush Press, 1987
3. Patton, M “Central Belfast: An Historical Gazetteer” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993
4. www.dia.ie – Dictionary of Irish Architects online
5. http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

Symmetrical multi-bay four-storey with attic neo-classical sandstone former bank building, built c.1885, to the designs of John Lanyon with pedimented breakfronts to either end. A High Victorian building with much historic fabric surviving including decorative stone masonry detailing to the front elevation. Although internal alterations have resulted in changes to the original floor plans and the loss of some historic fabric, this is a good example of the type, representing the development of bank buildings and the expansion of commerce in the city. It is also the work of a noteworthy local architect.

General comments

Address corrected from 112 Royal Avenue to 109-111 Royal Avenue

Renumbering to be looked at - this is not really a pair with /066B