103-105 North Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An attached symmetrical two-bay three-storey with half-dormer attic red brick commercial block, built c.1896, located on the northern side of North Street. Rectangular on plan, abutted to the rear by a full-height flat-roofed red brick return, which is abutted by a two- and three-storey mid to late 20th century flat-roofed red brick block (of little historic interest).

Pitched artificial slate roof largely concealed behind red brick parapet to south, with sandstone coping over. A pair of gable-headed attic dormers break through parapet, having scrolled kneelers and pyramidal sandstone finials over apexes. Red brick chimneystacks to east and west, having stepped cornices and no pots. Parapet gutters with uPVC downpipes breaking through to centre and outer ends. Walling is machine-made red brick laid to Flemish bond with sandstone dressings. Windows are largely multi-paned timber casements, some early to mid 20th century, with replacement glass throughout. Pair of shopfronts to ground floor.

Principal elevation faces south with moulded sandstone crown cornice projecting over second floor level. First and second floors contain a single two-tiered elliptical-arched window opening to each bay, having pole-moulded and cavetto brick architraves and a keyed sandstone hood mould over. Floors at window openings are separated by painted timber boards; canted brick sills project from first floor openings. Upper section of windows are early to mid 20th century, lower sections are modern replacements. Attic window openings are square-headed with projecting sandstone sills, flush stone lintels surmounted by rounded pediments featuring foliate and shield carvings. Kneeler stones of pedimented dormers are carried on projecting brick piers, which extend below crown cornice, terminated by sandstone stops to impost level of second floor openings. Attic windows are mid to late 20th century timber casements with decorative rolled glass. Pair of shopfronts to ground floor, concealed behind steel roller-shutters, with vinyl signage affixed to fascia. Each shopfront framed by painted cast-iron pilasters, with fluted lower sections over high pedestals. Continuous painted masonry cornice extends over fascia having uPVC gutters affixed and carried on a single fluted console bracket over central pilaster (outer two have been removed).

West elevation abutted by neighbouring building, Nos.109-111.

Rear (north) elevation largely abutted by flat-roofed return, which contains a mono-pitched roof to right-side, red brick walls laid to English garden wall bond and square-headed window openings. Single former opening to upper floor of north elevation is bricked up; plainly detailed opening to upper floor of left-cheek. Lower floors abutted by red brick mid to late 20th century building (of little historic interest), which extends north.

East elevation abutted by neighbouring building, Nos.99-101 (HB26/50/330).

Setting
Street-fronted on the north-side of North Street, the principal elevation faces south and forms part of a wider group of similarly dated commercial buildings, including Nos.99-101 (HB26/50/330) and Nos.95-97 (HB26/50/329) to the east. The rear elevation is abutted by a substantial two- and three-storey mid to late 20th century flat-roofed building with red brick walling.

Materials
Roof – Artificial slate
RWG – uPVC
Walling – Red brick with sandstone dressings
Windows – Multi-paned timber casements (largely replacements)

Historical information

Built c.1897 as commercial premises to designs by JJ Phillips (1841-1936) and first shown on the fourth edition OS map (1901-02).

Prior to construction the plot at No.103 comprised a house and outbuildings, owned by a Thomas Price and occupied by a William Campbell. The plot at No.105 previously comprised a workshop, shed and yard of a builder, John Stewart. Annual Revision records show that these buildings were removed, c.1895 and replaced by the present building, c.1897, which was occupied by the tea merchants and grocers, Cairns & Co. Ltd. This newly constructed commercial premise included a shop, warerooms, a yard and offices (which partly extended over the neighbouring No.107 to the west), which were given a rateable value £195. By 1902 the building had become vacant and a reduction in the rateable value was reflective of this. By 1905 the premises were once again in commercial occupation, this time by a wholesale saddler and ironmonger, Robert Johnston. Despite a further reduction in the rateable value, to £100 in c.1906, it remains unclear as to whether any changes were made to the building fabric. Street Directories show that by 1932, until at least 1951, Johnston was operating a motorcoach and saddlery from the premises. Historic map evidence shows that since construction in the late 19th century, Nos.103-105 have had extensive outbuildings to the rear. Site evidence shows that these outbuildings were largely replaced by a cohesive red brick flat-roofed block in the mid 20th century, however the red brick return, which abuts to the rear of No.103, is thought to date from the late 19th or early 20th century. It remains unclear as to whether these outbuildings remain part of Nos.103-105.

References

Primary Sources
1. PRONI 0S/6/1/61/4 Fourth Edition OS map (1901-02)
2. PRONI OS/6/1/61/6 Sixth Edition OS map (1931)
3. PRONI OS/8/30/5/56 Town Plan (1902-05)
4. PRONI VAL/12/E/192/J/29/3 Annual Revision map (1906-16)
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/43/C/1-41 Annual Revisions (1862-1930)
6. Belfast Street Directories (1880-1951)
7. 1901 & 1911 Census

Secondary Sources
1. Patton, Marcus ‘Central Belfast- An Historical Gazetteer (2nd Edition)’ UAHS, Belfast (2016)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

S. Authenticity
V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
R. Age

Evaluation

Built c.1897 as commercial premises and located on the north side of North Street in Belfast City Centre, this two-bay three-storey with half-dormer attic red brick building is characterised by the two-tier windows spanning the first and second floors and the pair of gable-fronted attic dormers which are embellished with fine stone detailing. Although some historic detailing has been lost, such as the original windows, what does remain is of fine quality such as the cast-iron pilasters to the ground floor shop fronts. The building was originally occupied by the tea merchants and grocers, Cairns & Co. Ltd, giving an insight into trade and commerce during this era. The building remains a good example of this type of small commercial premises, representative of the expansion of commerce within the city during the turn of the 20th century. This building provides a significant reminder of Edwardian architecture within this section of the city centre.

General comments

also HB26/LQ284