Ulster Bank, 75 Main Street, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5AF

Ulster Bank, 75 Main Street, Bangor

A three-storey red-brick bank with attic, built in 1920 to designs by architect James A. Hanna. This purpose-built bank is a notable example of early 20th-century commercial architecture by a significant local architect. Although some alteration has occurred, notably a modern two-storey extension to the rear, the building retains much of its original layout and many original details, with good craftsmanship evident in the façade ornamentation reflecting its character as a substantial civic building.

The building is three bays wide, semi-detached, and rectangular on plan. It has a pitched roof of natural slate with cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting dentilled eaves. The walling is Flemish bonded red-brick with ruled-and-lined stucco to the ground floor and string courses between ground and first floor levels.

Windows throughout are 6/1 sliding sash in deep reveals with stucco surrounds featuring corniced friezes and projecting painted masonry sills. The principal elevation faces west and is four windows wide at first floor, with windows to the entrance bay only at second floor. The entrance is set within a breakfront bay topped by a central pediment and cornice ornamented with shallow medallions on simple pilasters decorated with wreaths. The door is a double-leaf, raised-and-fielded three-panelled timber door, surmounted by a segmental pediment breaking the string course, with lions with folded paws forming corbels to the pediment. The Ulster Bank's coat of arms is positioned over the door, with "ULSTER BANK LIMITED" in moulded lettering to the entrance bay.

The north and east elevations are partially abutted by neighbouring structures and a modern extension respectively. The exposed sections are blank and cement rendered. The south elevation has four openings to the ground floor and two centrally placed openings to the first and second floors. Two diminutive windows light the gablet, set within pedimented band-rusticated stucco surrounds with volutes to either side. Pilasters with wreaths frame the central bay as on the main elevation. A decorated balcony at first floor is supported on green man corbels with a central gryphon, and a cartouche to the centre of the balustrade bears the date '1920'.

The bank occupies a prominent position on the east side of Main Street in Bangor town centre, to the north of the listed Northern Bank.

History

The first Ulster Bank branch in Bangor opened in 1917 at 124 Main Street. This purpose-built replacement was constructed in 1920 on a site formerly occupied by the Post Office, a grocery and home-bakery, and a haberdashery store. The Irish Builder in September 1920 reported that the building had been occupied and described the stonework as "enriched by several fine pieces of carving, executed by Messrs F.T. Thompson and Son, Belfast". The cash office measured approximately 1,000 square feet and included the manager's private office and a lunch room for staff. The public space was floored with Venetian marble mosaic, with the remainder of the office finished in pitch pine wood blocks. Heating was provided by a low-pressure hot water system installed by Messrs. Musgrave and Company, Belfast. The building was constructed by Messrs. Courtney and Company, builders of Belfast.

Valuation records for 1921 indicate the site was leased from Baroness Clanmorris. By 1925 the property comprised a bank, manager's residence, motor house and yard, later revalued downward at £180, possibly following an appeal. Former stables and outhouses at the rear were rented to an undertaking firm. A well existed beneath the main building floor.

Early managers included James McAuley (retired 1938), Andrew D Erskine (retired 1949), Albert V Maxwell (transferred 1954), James Montgomery (retired 1960), and John B Baillie.

A proposal to demolish the bank in 1990 met with public opposition. The building was instead extended to the rear, preserving this significant structure.