Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB24/09/031

Address :
Ulster Bank 22 Frances Street Newtownards Co Down BT23 3DN

Townland:
Newtownards

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:
29/11/1993 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:
13/03/2002 00:00:00

Current Use:
Bank

Former Use
Bank

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
131/16

IG Ref:
J4901 7417

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Owner Category

Financial

Exterior Description And Setting

Three storey bank (set in the terrace on the N side of Frances Street) opened in January 1926 on the site of an earlier bank, established in 1865. The building is in rusticated Portland stone in a free classical style much employed by banks of this era. The front (S) facade has its entrance to the far right on the ground floor, with a sturdy timber panelled door with decorative carvings (including the bank’s coat of arms). To the left of this are three mullioned and transomed windows (that to the far left narrower than the others). To either side of the doorway and windows are pilaster-like piers topped with decorative garlands and ribbons. The piers all support and dentilled ‘entablature’ with cornice and decorative end brackets. The entablature has bronze sans serif letters spelling out the bank’s name. The outer pilasters continue beyond the ‘entablature’ to the full height of the facade. To the first floor are two broad tripartite windows with thick (pier-like) mullions. To the second floor are similar (but slightly squatter) windows with a cornice supported on decorative brackets. Between these windows is the Ulster Bank crest, also in Portland stone. The facade is topped with a dentilled cornice (supported on end brackets) with a parapet with two dentilled pediments. The exposed gables of the bank are also in Portland stone, but are plain. Given the proximity of other buildings it is difficult to get a clear view of the rear, however, the facade has been added to on several occasions and is now modern, functional and (architecturally speaking), untidy looking Behind the parapet lies a gabled roof, whose covering is not visible. Two gable chimney stacks in Portland stone with corbelling. The frames to the windows are now PVC.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

The Ulster Bank first established a branch in Newtownards in December 1865. The original premises were demolished in 1923 and a temporary branch opened in High Street. The present premises were built on the site of the original branch and opened for business on 1st January 1926. References- Secondary sources 1 William J. Knox 'Decades of the Ulster Bank' (Belfast 1965), pp.83-84.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Three storey bank of c.1925 with Portland stone facade in a free classical style but with a modern banking hall. This bank is set within the terrace on the north side of Frances Street, close to the classical centre piece of Newtownards, the market house.

General Comments

Date of Survey

12 June 1998