57 Main Street, Kircubbin, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2SR

57 Main Street is a two-storey gabled terrace of shops and dwelling positioned on the south-west side of Main Street in Kircubbin. The building dates from the late nineteenth century, probably the 1870s to 1880s, though there is evidence suggesting it may have been constructed in phases rather than as a single completed block.

The front facade presents an irregular window arrangement despite the uniform rendered finish. The ground floor contains two separate shop units with contrasting frontages: one retains a largely traditional appearance while the other has been replaced with a modern design. Between the shops, at ground level, is the entrance to an apartment which occupies the entire first floor. The apartment retains sliding sash and case windows with horizontal and vertical astragals, though some are partly boarded. The first floor of the entire terrace contains nine unevenly spaced sliding sash and case windows, also with horizontal and vertical astragals and simple moulded arch-shaped surrounds. These windows sit on a cill course with two small brackets beneath each opening. All window surrounds feature decorative moulded detail.

The entire front facade and gables are finished in lined render with chamfered quoins, an eaves course, and a plinth to the front. The pitched roof carries four unevenly spaced chimney stacks, with stone parapets. Three cast iron skylights correspond to the upper floor of No. 57. Cast iron gutters and downspouts run along the facade.

The rear of the terrace has been extended with modern single-storey lean-to additions, and most rear windows have been replaced with modern frames. Large rubble-built outbuildings stand to the rear.

Historical evidence from the 1834 Ordnance Survey map shows that buildings existed on this site but do not correspond exactly with the terrace visible today, supporting the theory that it was built or significantly extended in phases. The uneven arrangement of windows and chimney stacks further suggests piecemeal construction, with decorative detailing added later to create the appearance of a formally planned building. The styling of the decoration, similar to that of the manse further up Main Street, indicates a mid to later nineteenth century date, probably 1870s-1880s. In recent times, No. 55 housed the Northern Bank, while No. 59 was converted to shop premises after 1970 and previously displayed a panelled double door with fanlight and moulded surround, alongside a sliding sash and case window. Although a former occupant claimed No. 59 was once a Post Office around 1750, this is historically unlikely given that little development existed in the village before the 1770s and Kircubbin probably only became a post town after 1800.

The building's interior spaces, including the shops and apartment, have been substantially modernised. The setting and proportion of the building contribute to its architectural interest, though later alterations have detracted from its original character.