27-29 Frances Street, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 3DW

27-29 Frances Street, Newtownards, is a large two-storey terrace block built around 1860-1870, originally comprising two separate houses arranged around a central carriage arch. It has since been converted to shops and offices.

The front (north) facade features large shop windows to left and right, with a central elliptical arch headed carriage entrance fitted with a metal roller shutter. The original house entrances survive immediately to the left and right of this arch, each with a panelled door and fanlight surrounded by thin panelled pilasters and curved brackets supporting a blocking course and cornice. This cornice extends over the carriage arch. The shop to the right (No. 29) has an internally illuminated PVC signboard above, with a laminated sign board above No. 27. Both shop windows consist of large fixed picture lights. The first floor has seven windows: the four to the left and centre are original sashes, whilst the remainder are modern replacements. The front facade is finished in painted lined render with chamfered quoins and base, with an eaves course. Modern projecting signs project from the first floor of No. 29. The west gable is blank and rendered.

The rear of No. 29 features a large full-height hipped roof return with five sash windows (of varying condition, some boarded) to the rear face—three at ground floor and two at first floor. A projecting single-storey extension with a mono-pitched roof extends from the ground floor rear right. A sash window serves the first floor west face of this return. Immediately to the left, a small hipped roof return sits directly above the carriage arch, with a sash window to its rear face. To its immediate left is a two-level hipped return with a sash window to the upper level of the rear face and evidence of a blocked window opening below. A single-storey lean-to extension occupies the entire west face of this return. The main rear facade of No. 27 (the exposed first-floor section above the returns) has two sash windows, the right one notably smaller and positioned at attic landing level. A tall chimney stack is attached to the far left of the main rear facade. The entire rear facade, including all returns, is finished in unpainted cement render. The main gabled roof and returns are covered in Bangor blue slates. Rendered chimney stacks appear on the main roof to the east and to the rear at the west, positioned side-on. Cast iron rainwater goods are present.

The site did not appear on the 1858 Ordnance Survey map, with this section of the terrace appearing recessed with buildings set back from the main street line. The present block likely dates from around 1860-1870, with the latter date possibly more accurate. The rear returns appear largely original. When surveyed in October 1972, the property belonged to the Electricity Board and still retained its original ground-floor window arrangement. The layout of both properties has been substantially altered since conversion. Whilst the building does not meet the statutory test for listing, it is of significant local interest.