Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/26/020 A

Address :
5 Downshire Place Newry Co Down BT34 1DZ

Townland:
Carneyhough

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Survey 2:
B+

Date of Listing:
28/01/1998 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Office - Terrace

Former Use
House - Terrace

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
266/7 NW

IG Ref:
J0886 2703

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Owner Category

Central Govt Health Board Health Board

Exterior Description And Setting

Right one of a symmetrical terrace of four two-storey (+ semi-basement + attic)/ three-bay houses on the east side of Downshire Road. Three openings wide at front and at side. Hipped, natural slate L-shaped roof is gabled to join with adjacent property (no.7). Two skylights to rear. Single cement rendered chimneys with projecting caps rise from either end of front ridge, and a third from wall head of rear return. Rainwater goods are semicircular metal. Wall to facade is painted lined render; projecting eaves course, also rendered. Raised plaque at first floor right reads ‘Downshire Place’ in raised capitals. Two granite steps rise to granite paved platform in front of main entrance at ground floor centre. Original palmette headed cast iron railings flank sides of steps and platform. Inset into railings at left and right on platform are metal boot scrapers. Replacement door is painted timber with beaded muntin, four bolection moulded panels, and assorted ironmongery. Door frame is of reeded timber and is flanked by two three-quarter attached granite Tuscan columns which support a moulded granite entablature. Above, the original rectangular Greek Revival leaded transom has been replaced with plastic glazing. Entrance opening has one-piece moulded jambs, with scrolled consoles at top supporting a moulded granite cornice. Modern electric light over cornice. To left and right bays at ground floor are single 6/6 sliding sash windows. Unless otherwise stated, all windows are without horns and have painted granite cills. To basement, in line with ground floor windows, are single 3/3 sliding sashes. To central bay of basement, underneath the entrance platform, is a porch with modern louvred door to its left cheek. Concrete steps lead down from foot of main entrance steps to passage across front of basement. At first floor are three equally spaced windows, identical to and in line with those on ground floor but diminished in height. Left gable forms party wall with adjacent property. Wall to right elevation is painted and line rendered. The ground falls to right on this elevation, on which there are three equally spaced 3/3 sliding sash windows across the basement. That to right has a painted concrete cill; its opening was probably a door originally but has been infilled. To ground and first floors are three 6/6 sliding sash windows; those to first floor are slightly diminished in height. Window opening at ground floor right has been enlarged to house a pair of four-paned timber French windows with fixed four-pane transom over. These doors lead out to a small cantilevered concrete balcony enclosed by a plain painted steel railing. The basement to rear elevation is at ground level due to site’s sloping topography. Walls to return section are painted lined render; back wall of main block is wet dashed with projecting eaves course. The latter wall has a modern timber and glass door at basement left. Right of this is a 3/3 sliding sash. Almost obscuring all of ground floor and abutting right cheek of return is a modern one-storey conservatory raised over the basement level. It is of timber and glass construction with flat felt roof. On back wall of main block, enclosed by conservatory, is a modern fixed window within an original opening. To its right, also enclosed by conservatory, is a modern door into rear kitchen; this is probably within an enlarged window opening. Door on right cheek of conservatory leads on to metal fire escape stairs to back garden. To right of conservatory, is a modern timber casement window with thin concrete cill. Over conservatory, between ground and first floors at left, is a tall 6/6 sliding sash window. To first floor right is a similar, but smaller, window. Gable wall of return is blank except for a single stained timber louvre door at right on basement, and small ventillator at ground floor. Right cheek has a door into conservatory at ground floor right and a 2/2 sliding sash window (with horns) to first floor. A metal boiler flue rises up the left side. Setting Garden to front and side is enclosed by a chamfered granite wall which retains stumps of original wrought-iron railings. A broad cement path flanked by rendered brick walls leads from street to steps up to front door. Also a side entrance from Church Avenue comprising a pair of metal gates, each inset with ‘ER VII’ in decorative scrolled letters.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Shown in present form in 1834 OS map. Owned by William Leech in 1838 Valuation. Probably erected in 1820s or early 1830s as part of development of Downshire Road by Marquis of Downshire. Seemingly conceived as part of a longer terrace never completed. Primary Sources: 1. PRONI OS 6/3/46/1 OS 6" map, 1st edition (1834) Co Down sheet 46 2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1B/ 389, p.55 3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1D/3/8A. 4. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.420, 428 (entry 417.26).

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 K. Group value

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Right one of a symmetrical terrace of four two-storey/ three-bay houses. A fine example of an earlier 19th century Georgian townhouse in virtually original condition and an early example of town planning by an improving landlord. Its appearance is enhanced by its restrained decoration (particularly the doorcase) and grouping within an intact symmetrical terrace.

General Comments

Date of Survey

23 March 1998