Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB21/21/001

Address :
Rantalard House Rathcoole Drive Newtownabbey Co Antrim BT37 9AG

Townland:
Whitehouse

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Survey 2:
B1

Date of Listing:
03/03/2010 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Office

Former Use
House

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
114-14

IG Ref:
J3475 8091

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Owner Category

Housing Association

Exterior Description And Setting

Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c.1840, located to south side of Rathcoole Drive. Rectangular on plan; three-bay two-storey extension to north, two-storey extension at south-west and two-storey return to north-west. Roofs hipped and artificial slated over corbelled eaves on moulded banding; three rendered chimneys with replacement clay pots to main house. Walling is smooth rendered over brick plinth with pilasters to corners. Square-headed timber-framed 6/6 sliding sash windows with masonry sills, all protected by mesh and steelwork grilles. Principal elevation faces east and comprises central elliptical-headed entrance with cavetto moulded surround; replacement timber panelled door surmounted by fluted frieze and sunburst fanlight, flanked by pilasters and sidelights (wainscoting to sill height), accessed by modern steps and ramp enclosed by blue brick wall surmounted by steel railings; segmental-headed window to left and right at ground floor. Window to each bay at first floor. Abutted to right by extension; window to each bay at first floor; ground floor has bowed bay at right, having moulded cornice and containing three windows divided by pilasters with console brackets (central window has lower sill); single window to left. South elevation comprises four windows to each floor. Abutted to left by extension containing two uPVC casement windows (6/6 configuration) to each floor. West elevation is abutted by an extension at right and return at left, enclosed between by double-height walling containing modern square-headed timber door. Each has a blank facade. Abutted to left by extension containing two windows at first floor and blocked window to right at ground floor. North elevation is abutted by an extension comprising two windows to each floor. Exposed section contains two windows at first floor, square-headed timber sheeted entrance door with transom light to ground floor left. Abutted at right by further extension (no corbelled brackets to eaves) having three windows to first floor, square-headed timber sheeted entrance door with transom light to ground floor left and two blocked windows to right. Setting Set within mature gardens with carpark to east, bounded to Rathcoole estate by mature trees and hedging. Roof: Artificial slate Walling: Smooth painted render over plinth Windows: Square-headed timber frame 6/6 sliding sash with masonry sills RWG: Cast-iron ogee profiled gutters with round and square downpipes

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

The building first appears on the second edition OS map of 1857 and is captioned 'Rantalard'. Griffiths Valuation also names the house 'Rantalard' and details a house, office, gate lodge and land; the occupier is a Miss Helen Bell (later revised to Mrs.) and the Lessor is John Thomson Esq. The buildings are initially valued at £103, and revised to £110 (no date provided). The fieldbook also includes a hand drawn map of the site. Additional notes on rent include details for Agnes Henry and Andrew [Grainger] who each pay £2.00. The gate lodge is described as being 'very neat stone finished' and a note is made on Sam Ritchie who has the lodge ‘rent free'. An addition in the fieldbook details when the house was built; ‘about £4 per acre lease 40 years about 1843 & built'. The Valuation Revision Field Book records a change to the lessor in 1883 to Edward Smyth. An additional revision in 1898 notes a new occupier; Wellington Young with the Lessor as Richard Bell, the building is valued at £90. In 1909 the occupier changes to Marguerite Bell. References Primary Sources: 1. PRONI OS/6/1/57/1 -First edition OS map (1833) 2. PRONI OS/6/1/57/2 - Second edition OS map (1857) 3. PRONI VAL/1/A/1/57-Townland Valuation Map (1834) 4. PRONI VAL/1/B/1/115A+B -Townland Valuation Fieldbook (1836) 5. PRONI VAL/2/A/1/57 -Griffiths Valuation Map (1859) 6. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/13A+B-Griffiths Valuation Fieldbook (1859) 7. PRONI VAL/12/D/1/57 - Valuation Revision Map (1859-1876) 8. PRONI VAL/12/B/1/12 A-E - Valuation Revision Fieldbook (1868-1909)

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

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached three-bay two-storey house, the building is simply yet elegantly detailed, retaining original features such as the nicely detailed sash windows and some robustly ornate plasterwork to the exterior. It is a good example of the type and significant in the locale.The house overall is well preserved and the garden still provides an approriate setting. Located within what has become Rathcoole Estate, this building is an important historic element in an otherwise modern setting.

General Comments

Date of Survey

10 November 2008