57 High Street, Donaghadee, Co. Down

57 High Street, Donaghadee

A small, much-altered two-storey terraced house of approximately 1800, located near the south end of High Street. The building is recorded in the heritage register, though not formally listed.

The front north-east facade presents a two-storey elevation with a distinctive 'Ards'-type doorway positioned to the left. The doorway features a blocked (Gibbs-like) surround with a semicircular arch head, containing a modern glazed door and a plain semicircular fanlight. To the right of the doorway is a window now fitted with a PVC frame. The first floor carries two windows with modern timber frames. The front facade is finished in lined render and painted.

The rear elevation has a dilapidated appearance. At ground floor level on the left is a recent timber-sheeted door. To the right stands a single-storey extension with a modern window, corrugated iron flat roof, and concrete block and brick facade. Above this extension on the main rear facade is a fixed light window set at an intermediate level. To the left, at proper first-floor level, is a sash window whose bottom pane is now boarded. At attic level to the right is a small boarded window opening. The rear facade is finished in plain render.

The roof is gabled and dominated at the front by a large flat-roofed dormer constructed and faced in timber, added circa 1970. The rear roof is finished with Tullycavy slates. The building is fitted with PVC and cast iron rainwater goods.

Historical records indicate this portion of High Street has been occupied by dwellings since at least the early eighteenth century. Valuation records from circa 1836 record the 'house and yard' in possession of Thomas Smyth with a rateable value of £4 14 0. From the 1960s onwards, the ground floor has functioned as a dental surgery, and has recently been amalgamated with the ground floor of its neighbouring property, No. 55.

The building lies within a conservation area.