20-22 South Street, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 4JT

Two storey gabled terrace block on the east side of South Street, south of Newtownards town centre. Now converted to shops, it comprises numbers 20 and 22, formerly two separate dwelling houses.

The building was likely constructed between the 1760s and 1830s, possibly around 1820-1839. South Street itself was laid out in the 1760s as part of Alexander Stewart's regular grid-like street plan centred on the new market house to the north. By 1834 the eastern side of the street was only partly developed, though this site appears to have been occupied. When first surveyed in October 1972, the block still contained two dwelling houses with an 'Ards' doorway to number 20.

The front (west) facade of number 20 has a modern glazed entrance to the far left, a large modern shop window to the centre, and an elliptical-headed carriage arch with modern roller shutter. The first floor contains four windows with modern frames. The front facade is finished in lined render and painted black. To the rear are three small first-floor windows with modern frames with bars. A recent-looking single-storey lean-to extension extends to the rear. To the left of this is a large doorway with timber-sheeted double doors, with the rear of the carriage entrance to the left.

The front facade of number 22 has a large modern shopfront to the ground floor and a modern window to the first floor. To the rear is a single-storey flat-roofed extension with a modern framed window to the first floor of the main rear facade.

Both facades are rendered. The front is painted; the rear is unpainted cement render. The roof of the entire block is covered in Bangor blue slates with no chimney stacks. Rainwater goods are PVC.

The internal layout of both properties has been substantially altered, with little original fabric remaining. Modern extensions to the rear and modern shopfronts, doors and windows have been added throughout. Despite these alterations, the building retains its traditional terrace form and the carriage arch, features of local interest. It does not meet the test for listing.