Cafe Nero

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-storey, terraced commercial building, constructed c. 1935 in a stripped classical style with strong Art Deco influences. Generally rectangular on plan, the building is framed construction with elevations having a vertical emphasis. Located on the northern side of Ann Street in Belfast City centre, having a plain three-storey return block abutting to rear (of little interest).

A flat roof of indeterminate material, concealed behind parapet which wraps around all elevations; parapet of principal elevation has shallow gradient rising to central apex, surmounted by chevron motif and moulded detail. Heavily moulded, projecting eaves course to main façade having decorative lead flashing over; replacement rainwater goods to rear only. Walling is generally white/grey composite stone cladding-tiles with recessed panels framing central opening which dominates upper floors of main elevation. Windows are squared with metal frames and reflective glass; three pairs are vertically arranged across the upper floors with a bronze panel separating them horizontally, below second floor level. Continuous projecting cill course over plain painted upper ground floor which has modern timber fascia and signage affixed; ground floor has been shopped with three expansive full-height glazed openings and a modern door to right-of-centre; far edges of ground floor are clad in polished red granite. Rear block also rectangular on plan with partially hipped slate roof and smooth rendered walls.

Principal elevation faces south and is symmetrical across the upper floors. Four openings wide, windows are separated by three projecting, moulded piers which rise from the first floors cills through to the upper proportion of second floor windows. Ground floor is shopped and modernized (of no interest).

West elevation is almost entirely abutted by adjoining building but ground floor contains narrow passage way (Cole’s Alley), which is lined in modern brickwork.

North elevation is abutted by rear three-storey smooth rendered block, containing single metal door to centre of main elevation (of no real interest).

East elevation abutted by adjoining building.

Setting

Located on the northern side of Ann Street, the building terminates a newly created but important vista from the Victoria Square Shopping centre to the south. A narrow alleyway (Cole’s Alley) originates in Ann Street, along the western elevation where it extends north and then turns east along the rear of the premises, opening out onto Church Lane. The building is abutted to the east by modern red brick three-storey commercial terraces and by mid 20th century red brick parapetted commercial building.

Roof: Flat roof (undetermined material)
RWG : metal and uPVC
Walling: tiles
Windows: metal

Historical information

The present building was constructed in 1935-6 as a jeweller’s shop to designs by Blackwood & Jury and is first shown on the seventh edition OS map of 1938. Isaac Adlestone, silversmith, jeweller and watchmaker, had formerly occupied premises at number 48 Ann Street, which were demolished in 1935 together with the former Ann Street Post Office at number 50. The new shop, described by the valuer as, the ‘best shop in the street’ had been completed by August 1936 and was valued the following year at £520. The occupiers were Isaac Adlestone, Harry Adlestone and Maurice Adlestone who were the owners in fee of the shop, showroom and stores.

Valuer’s notes of the 1930s give a description of the accommodation which comprised a shop, office, sitting room and store on the ground floor; an ‘excellent’ showroom and salesroom on the first floor together with a staff room and a store/mess room on the second floor. When built, the ground floor had an elaborate shopfront incorporating a circular opening with a showcase at the centre. Adlestone’s remained in the building until the 1970s, the shop subsequently being taken over as a fashion store (Street Directories). Patton comments that the art deco design resembles ‘a stylish car radiator, with a chevron on shield and wings on the pediment’ (Patton). The building is currently in use as a café.

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 OS/6/1/61/7 – Seventh Edition OS map of 1938
4. PRONI VAL/3/C/24 – First General Revaluation (1933-57)
5. PRONI VAL/3/D/3/1/J/101 – First General Revaluation (1933-57)
6. Street Directories (1938-95)

Secondary Sources

1. Patton, M “Central Belfast: An Historical Gazetteer” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993
2. www.dia.ie – Dictionary of Irish Architects online

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Three-storey, terraced commercial building erected c.1935, characterised by Art Deco stylistic influences and simple ornamentation. Although the Modernist Art Deco movement swept across Europe during the early 20th century, it had little influence in Ireland. Although of interests in conjunction with other similar buildings such as Burton’s Department Store (HB26/50/320) and the Woolworth’s building, this building is not among the best examples of the type and has been compromised by alterations involving loss of historic fabric and detailing.