1 Ardmore Terrace, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9BH

1 Ardmore Terrace, Holywood

A recently renovated three-storey, three-bay end terrace Victorian house, one of a terrace of seven built in palace form. The house was constructed around 1850 and reflects the development of Holywood following the arrival of the railway. Most of its historic fabric remains intact and, together with the rest of the terrace, it represents a fine example of this house type. However, the setting has been compromised by the construction of modern housing at Ardmore Park on the approach to Ardmore Court and further development to the rear.

The building is a symmetrical three-bay, three-storey end terrace located to the west of Ardmore Road, south-east of Holywood. It is rectangular on plan with two two-storey returns to the rear. The roof is pitched natural slate with rectangular chimneystacks finished with stone plinth and terracotta pots. Half-round cast-iron rainwater goods sit on painted masonry eaves, though uPVC rainwater goods have been added to the rear returns. The principal elevation, facing north, is finished in ruled-and-lined painted render with simple rustication to the ground floor, quoins, a raised and chamfered plinth, and a smooth render string course between the upper floors. The west elevation has smooth painted render.

The principal elevation fenestration consists of two 2/1 timber-framed sliding sash windows in canted bays to the ground floor, and 2/2 timber-framed sliding sash windows to the first and second floors (the second-floor windows are diminutive). All upper-floor windows have a continuous sill and moulded architrave with a projecting moulded cornice to the first-floor openings. The ground floor contains a central single-panelled timber door with a recessed moulded surround and a round-headed plain transom light, accessed by four stone steps.

The west elevation has two uPVC windows to the ground floor. The rear elevation has asymmetrical fenestration comprising a variety of timber-framed sliding sash windows, the majority 6/6, all with projecting masonry sills. The east gable is abutted by the adjoining building. The rear elevation comprises a recessed bay to the right, abutted by a two-storey return with window openings to both floors at the south gable. A two-storey return also exists to the left; both returns have window openings to exposed sections. The left return has a pent roof, whilst the right return is abutted by a similar return to the neighbouring property, creating a full gable. The rear yard is enclosed by a joining wall between the gable ends with a simple timber latch gate and has no access from the street.

The front garden is paved and accessed by stone steps, enclosed by a rendered wall. To the rear, a communal pathway separates the house and garden; the garden contains a recently constructed two-storey house and is bounded by a tall hedgerow.

Historical Context

Ardmore Terrace was built in the late 1840s. The houses were let either as bathing villas or on more permanent terms to professional-class families attracted to Holywood following the opening of the railway. The terrace appears on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1858 as "Ardmore Terrace", though Griffith's Valuation records from 1856-64 initially list the buildings as "Ormeau Terrace".

A contemporary newspaper advertisement described the renamed villas: "Villas in Holywood at reduced rent. To let and immediate possession given, two houses in Ardmore Terrace. The houses have each a garden and the use of extensive grounds and contain Dining room, Drawing room and Seven Bedrooms with Hot and Cold Baths &c., and a never-failing supply of Water, without pumping. For a permanent tenant, very moderate terms would be made…An Omnibus plies from every Train, Fare 2d."

At the time of Griffith's Valuation, number one was unoccupied and leased from John Simms with a valuation of £55—larger than other houses in the terrace, reflecting its greater size. The valuer recorded that each house contained on the first storey a dining room, parlour, closet, pantry and kitchen; on the second storey two large bedrooms, bathroom, closet and servants' room; and in the return, a scullery, store rooms and servants' rooms. Between 1880 and 1887 valuations dropped slightly, though no reason is recorded.

Documented occupants include Jane Marshall (1863), Maria Pirrie (1880), Marion McCammon (1890), and Alfred Egan (1918). By 1902, the immediate lessor was William Gilliland, an architect engaged mainly in commercial and industrial projects including the Ormeau Bakery in Belfast. Gilliland was also a founder member of the Ulster Society of Architects and served as a city councillor for Victoria Ward. The house experienced periods of vacancy during its history of occupation.