Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, Belfast, BT13 2DE

Conway Mill comprises a pair of brick-built flax spinning mills on Conway Street, Belfast – a four-storey 'old' mill and a five-storey 'new' mill – linked at one end by associated engine houses and a boiler house, and at the other by a short overhead covered passage.

The New Mill

This five-storey building of twenty-four bays faces directly west onto Conway Street. The walls are of red brick with a parapeted roof concealed behind the parapet, now covered in modern pressed metal sheeting with parapet gutters. The ground floor has a projecting brick base and is painted up to window head height. Moulded brick cornices run above the first and fourth floors, forming continuous cills to the windows above, with another moulded cornice at the top floor surmounted by a plain blocking course and oversailing copings.

At the second and third storeys, a narrow arched recessed panel appears at the left-hand end. Windows are set in recessed panels between double-storey brick pilasters with moulded bases, string courses and cornices. The window openings are segmental-arched with plain reveals, except at the third floor where raised keystones of painted stone or concrete are linked by a continuous brick drip moulding. Cills are of painted stone or concrete, except at ground floor where they are painted cast iron.

The original windows were timber with nine-pane divisions, apparently comprising a central three-pane fixed light with three-pane bottom-hung vents above and below, but these are now in poor condition where they survive. Ground floor windows have been partly blocked with steel sheeting or later steel shutters over the bottom vent; three have been partly closed with concrete blockwork; four have been elongated to form later rectangular doorways, partly dressed in smooth cement render. First floor windows have all been blocked. Second floor windows are mostly intact but some glazing bars have been removed. Third floor windows are blocked or temporarily closed with plastic sheeting. Fourth floor windows are all blocked except one lying open.

The doorways contain, from right to left: a pair of glazed modern doors; a pair of modern ledged pine doors behind a modern steel shutter; a pair of steel-sheeted doors; a pair of modern flush timber doors with small glazed panels.

Between the second and third window bays from the end stands an original large vehicular opening with a segmental arch and rendered keyblock. The opening has moulded stop-chamfered reveals to the jambs and conical cast iron wheel guards without maker's inscription at each side. It contains a moulded timber frieze and cornice, now fire damaged, surmounted by a fanlight blocked with brickwork; damaged steel shutter door framing is inset, and the opening is closed by a pair of steel security gates. This entrance leads through to the rear yard. The side walls within the opening are plain brickwork; the south side contains a large vehicular opening closed with a modern steel shutter. The ceiling comprises three bays of brick jack arches linked by tie rods. A small derelict brick-walled chamber in the corner contains a valve house. A large rectangular opening in the rear wall, with rounded jambs and a deep steel girder above, leads directly to the yard.

The south elevation comprises the five-window-wide end of the main mill block, with the stairwell (two windows wide) set back slightly to the right. The mill walling is of white glazed brick with red brick quoins at the left-hand extremity of the ground and first floors returning from the west elevation, and a red brick border from the west elevation appearing set back slightly at the left-hand extremity of the top three floors. The moulded cornices, string courses, keystones and pilaster strips match those on the west elevation but without the moulded plinth. There are sockets and breaks in the cornices for downpipes, now missing. Windows match those on the west elevation. The third window opening from the left on the top floor is blind, closed with white glazed brick as an original feature. The fourth window opening from the left on the ground floor has been elongated, with the top portion closed with concrete blockwork and a steel beam inserted to form a later doorway. This contains a pair of modern rectangular glazed timber doors set in a tongued and grooved sheeted surround in cement rendered reveals with a steel shutter outer door. Ground floor cills are cast iron; upper floor cills are stone.

The stairwell walling is plain white glazed brick without embellishment except for plain oversailing coping to the parapet. Windows are similar to the main mill block, with those on the ground floor blocked with white painted smooth cement render and those on the first floor boarded up. Ground floor cills are cast iron; upper floor cills are stone.

The east elevation comprises the main east wall of the mill, twelve windows wide, with the stairwell projecting forward at the left-hand end and the end bays of the main wall set back at the right-hand end. The walling is plain white glazed brickwork without plinth or mouldings. Downpipes are now missing. Projecting from the ground and first floors are two derelict toilet stacks, originally full height as evidenced by wall markings above. These comprise original narrow projecting rectangular bays in white glazed brick – the one to the south extended to one side in modern concrete brickwork, the one to the north incorporating an iron-framed extension to one side, with cast iron downpipes to each toilet block.

Windows to the main wall match those on the west elevation. Those on the ground floor are blocked with concrete blockwork; those on the first floor are covered with corrugated iron; some on the upper floors lie completely open. The east wall of the stairwell is plain white glazed brickwork with the corner to the north chamfered and a conical cast iron wheel protector at the base. The ground floor contains a segmental-arched doorway with rounded edge to the head, containing a pair of modern steel grille gates set in steel covers to the reveals on each side. Above this is one window to each landing, similar to previous examples, but the one at the second floor has been broken out to accommodate a short enclosed link inclined up from the adjacent old mill. The link has a reinforced concrete slab floor, red brick side walls each containing a glass-bricked window, and a corrugated sheet roof.

The north side of the stairwell is similar white glazed brickwork and contains one window to each half-landing, smaller than those on the main elevations. The one to the ground floor is boarded up and has a cast iron cill; upper level cills are stone. The thirteenth bay of the main wall to the right of the stairwell angles back and contains one window to each floor. To the right, beyond a short end wall, is a derelict set-back bay glazed at the top two floors with timber fixed lights but lying open below that, containing iron-framed landings with ladder access. To the right projects the three-storey boiler house in red brick.

The east elevation of the main mill block at the north end beyond the set-back shows that the ground, first and second floors of the first six window bays to the right are abutted by the boiler house. The walling is red brick with a parapet at the top. Windows are segmental-arched timber-framed as previously described, but those to the third and fourth floors are closed with concrete blockwork. The wall shows markings of a previous fire escape stairway at the last two bays from the north, now removed. The third bay from the north end has a small toilet projection at first, second and third floor levels, of poor quality construction.

The north elevation is a plain red brick wall with a parapet at the top, later cracked but strengthened by modern tie bars. One small crudely formed opening has been created in the wall at high level.

The Old Mill

This four-storey building of fifteen bays stands parallel to and behind the new mill, with a lower engine house projecting forward at one end and an entrance bay and stairwell set back slightly at the other end. The main entrance faces west.

The west elevation of the main block has a roof of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with seven flush rooflights – two original three-pane examples, the rest reglazed with single panes. At the left-hand end is a small gabled dormer with slated roof, gablet and slate-hung cheeks, and a tongued and grooved sheeted rectangular timber door to the front. PVC gutters and downpipes serve the main block. The wall is red brick with painted rhyolite quoins at the right-hand end. The brickwork has been later whitened at the first, second and third floors, and rendered with wet dash at the ground floor, with the render spalling in places. Rectangular cast iron tie-beam cramps are set between most windows on the first and second floors.

A steel-framed fire escape stairway with cast iron steps and old tubular metal railings stands at the second bay from the left, with original window openings partly blocked with render to accommodate modern flush timber doors. Upper floor windows are rectangular timber nine-pane units comprising a lower six-pane fixed light surmounted by a three-pane opening top light, set in plain reveals with flat brick arches to the heads and projecting stone cills. The ground floor retains two windows; other openings are either blocked and rendered over or enlarged to form doorways. The windows contain modern replacement timber fixed lights with a central opening vent, with cills cut back flush with the wall.

The ground floor contains four doorways, from left to right: a pair of flush timber doors recessed in smooth rendered reveals; a pair of steel-plated doors set in a steel frame surmounted by concrete blockwork filling the top of the original window; a pair of modern flush timber doors set in a broad timber surround in smooth rendered reveals with a steel shutter door attached over; a pair of iron-plated doors recessed in smooth rendered reveals.

Extending to the right-hand end and set back slightly is a five-storey flat-roofed entrance bay in the corner with the circular stairwell which projects from the south gable. The entrance bay and stairwell project above the main mill block. The wall is red brick with a projecting brick dentil cornice at the top surmounted by a smooth cement rendered blocking course; the ground floor is later partly rendered with wet dash and has a smooth rendered plinth. The ground floor contains a doorway comprising a pair of modern panelled doors set in a steel frame in smooth rendered reveals. There is one window to each floor above – rectangular timber units set in plain reveals with brick flat arch heads and projecting stone cills. The window to the first floor retains a top sash of six panes with horns, but the lower sash is boarded up. The window to the second floor has been broken out to accommodate the inclined overhead link passage to the new mill. Windows to the third and fourth floors are six-pane fixed lights surmounted by a three-pane opening top light.

The south elevation of the main mill block is mostly obscured by the projecting stairwell and entrance bay, but quoins are revealed at the left-hand end with a blank red brick gable to the right of the stairwell. The stairwell is curved to the front, with walls of red brick and a brick dentil cornice matching the corner bay to the left; part of the ground floor is rendered with wet dash. There is one large window to each half-landing with a smaller one at the top level. The lower two windows are canted timber six-pane fixed two-light replacements; the third window from the bottom is small-paned and curved in line with the wall; the top one is a rectangular timber six-pane fixed light with a three-pane opening top vent. All windows are set in plain reveals with brick flat arches, with the lower two rebuilt. The cills are stone curved in line with the wall; the bottom one is fractured. Below the bottom window, set in the rendered portion of the wall, is a small rectangular tongued and grooved timber sheeted hatch door in a timber surround.

Surmounting the curved stairwell and set back slightly is a curved addition in newer red brick which houses the lift mechanism. To the left is the rectangular corner bay of red brick with a brick dentil cornice at the top and rendered wet dash to part of the ground floor. This appears to be a later addition as the brickwork is not tied in with the curved stairwell. There is a PVC downpipe. One window appears on each floor: rectangular timber units set in plain reveals with brick flat arches and projecting stone cills, except the one to the ground floor which is set in plain reveals without a cill and contains a modern metal fixed light casement and top-hung vent. Windows to the first and second floors are rectangular timber sliding sashes, originally six over six with horns, but the lower sash to the first floor has been replaced by two panes. Windows to the two top levels are smaller and contain six-pane fixed lights with three-pane bottom-hung top lights opening inward. All windows are set in plain reveals with brick flat arches and stone cills as previously described.

The east side of the stairwell contains four windows, one to each level above the ground floor, set in similar openings to previous examples. The window to the first floor is a later nine-pane timber fixed light; windows to the second and third floors are multi-paned fixed lights with similar paned opening top lights; the window to the fourth floor is a six-pane fixed light with the original three-pane opening top vent now missing.

The east elevation of the main mill block is of similar character to the west elevation. The roof is slated as previously described; PVC rainwater goods are present. The walling is red brick with quoins at the right-hand end; portions of the ground floor have been lime-washed, parts rendered with a dry dash of white limestone chippings, and parts with smooth cement render. Rectangular cast iron tie rod clamps appear between windows on the first and second floors. Cast iron soil pipes are present. At the fifth bay from the left stands a later full-height projecting toilet stack added in 1904, comprising brick front and side wall to the right in red and yellow chequerwork patterning in patches, with a steel-framed bay to one side filled with panelling (originally specified as slate slabs) and corrugated Perspex, standing on a concrete plinth.

Windows to the main wall match those on the west elevation; some to the top floor have reveals rebuilt in new red brick. Two windows to the first floor have been shortened and later blocked up with brickwork at the bottom. Some ground floor windows have been blocked up and smooth rendered, some containing smaller modern rectangular timber fixed lights, and some elongated to accommodate modern rectangular doorways containing steel shutters or modern timber doors. The fourth, fifth and sixth openings from the right-hand end have large semi-circular arches with projecting stone cills, but the openings are now bricked up to contain smaller windows.

The north gable of the main mill block is partly obscured by a later canted engine house projecting from it. The main gable is of brickwork with rusticated quoins at the left-hand end, but unquoined at the base. Cast iron soil pipes are present, along with two circular cast iron tie bar cramps. The wall contains three original flat-arched openings later bricked up, with one stone cill still projecting. The original ground floor window opening has been elongated to accommodate a modern rectangular doorway containing a steel-plated door set in smooth rendered reveals with a modern concrete lintel.

New Engine House

This three-storey red brick building with a four-storey elevation and a canted face to the north-east corner projects from the north gable of the old mill, built in the angle between it and the original engine room. The roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses; walls are plain red brick with parapeted gables coped with sandstone. The entrance faces east.

The east elevation has a PVC downpipe. The ground floor contains a small doorway with a brick flat arch containing a modern steel-plated door, surmounted by a small projecting cast iron landing from a doorscreen above. The doorscreen is now partly boarded up with plywood panels but originally had a glazed fanlight and panelled sidelights, with parts still visible. The door head is of brickwork supported on an iron flat, rendered over but spalling. Two large windows appear above, one to each level: rectangular timber small-paned fixed lights with plain reveals, rendered lintels and projecting concrete cills.

The canted wall on the north-east corner has an asymmetrical gable with a shaped sandstone kneeler to the left and sandstone coping. The wall breaks forward at the right-hand end with a narrow pier above a broader canted projection. Two windows appear on each of the three upper levels; the ground floor area is blank. Windows are rectangular timber fixed lights with bottom-hung top vent, three over six, except where reglazed. First floor windows are partly boarded up. All are set in plain reveals with brick flat arches and concrete cills.

The north elevation is four storeys and one window wide, with brickwork tied into that of the original engine house to the right. A raking parapet gable at the top has a shaped sandstone kneeler to the right and sandstone copings. Some blue brickwork appears at the lower storeys. The ground floor contains a rectangular doorway with a concrete lintel, now blocked with concrete blockwork. The first floor contains a large pair of derelict rectangular timber glazed and sheeted doors set in rendered reveals with a rendered lintel, all in poor condition. Second and third floor windows are similar to those on the canted north-east face. A steel girder projects from the wall above the second floor window.

The west elevation is plain red brick walling extending above the height of the adjoining original engine house, with what appears to be PVC guttering.

Original Engine House

This brick building with a three-storey elevation and a narrow frontage to north and south projects from the north end of the west wall of the old mill, abutted to one side by the new engine house and to the other by the boiler house. The entrance faces north.

The north elevation is of red brick with a deep moulded stone cornice surmounted by a blocking course. The wall to the left is keyed in blocks into the newer brickwork of the new engine house. A water tank sits on the flat roof behind parapets. The ground floor contains a small rectangular doorway now closed with concrete blockwork. Above is a tall semi-circular arched window surmounting a doorscreen which leads onto a steel platform supported on a stanchion and brackets with tubular railings. The window opening comprises a four-course arch of brick headers and contains a semi-circular headed timber multi-paned window with radial lights to the top and horizontally pivoting lights to the bottom, all now derelict. The doorscreen contains a rectangular timber panelled and glazed door with arched heads, flanked by similar sidelights. A large cast iron downpipe is present.

The south elevation is three storeys with walling of red brick, partly whitened, with rusticated painted rhyolite quoins at the left-hand end and a deep moulded stone or rendered cornice. A small ground floor opening is now closed with concrete blockwork. Above it in the first floor is a large tall semi-circular arched opening comprising a four-course arch of brick headers, now closed with concrete blockwork. In the top floor is a rectangular opening with a brick flat arch, now closed with concrete blockwork. Attached across the south elevation is a later steel and cast iron fire escape stairway which continues up to give access to the roof. The quoins and cornice return to the short west face which contains a tall full-height opening containing derelict recessed timber fixed lights.

The Boiler House

This three-storey, three-bay building is abutted on one side by the original engine house and on the other by the new mill. The main entrance faces north.

The north elevation has a hipped roof of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with a coating of tar over them and dark-toned tiles to the ridges. Surmounting the roof is a timber ventilator with metal sheet roof covering. The wall is plain brickwork with a projecting eaves course. PVC gutter and downpipe are present to the right-hand end; a cast iron downpipe to the left. A deep steel joist runs across the ground floor supported on angled brackets on end posts. The inset ground floor area is filled with brick and contains rectangular openings – two blocked with concrete blockwork and one with a steel mesh grill – and a modern steel-plated door to the left. Three windows appear on each of the two upper floors: rectangular timber two-paned fixed lights with a top-hung vent, all broken, set in plain reveals with brick flat arches and projecting stone cills.

The east elevation is plain brickwork containing a rectangular doorway at first floor level with a rendered or stone lintel, leading onto a steel-framed platform connecting with the original engine house; the door is missing. PVC gutter is present. Rising up behind the boiler house is a taller later block faced in asbestos panels, painted, with cast iron guttering. This contains a row of rectangular windows at the top level, level with the third storey of the new mill: modern timber fixed light windows in poor condition.

The south elevation is a tall plain modern red brick wall with a recessed opening to the ground floor where a deep full-width iron girder is supported on a brick pier and a single circular cast iron column with four flanges to the top. Walls within the recess are of brickwork. A small rectangular doorway to the right-hand side has its door missing. A former additional building attached to this wall has now gone, leaving only the raking steel joist above.

Setting

The complex stands in a built-up area of the city on the east side of Conway Street, a short distance from the junction with Falls Road. There is a modern office site to the south, an open area to the north currently surrounded by high metal security fencing, and a modern urban residential area to the west on the other side of the street.

The new mill faces directly onto the pavement with the main gateway to the site adjoining it at the south gable. The gateway comprises a vehicular entrance with a small pedestrian gateway alongside: modern red brick piers, modern steel gates, and modern steel front boundary railings on red brick walls extending to the south. The gateway leads into a side yard with concrete and tarmac surface. Immediately inside the vehicular gateway, the cast iron surround of a weighbridge inscribed 'Avery, Birmingham, England' is still visible in the yard surface.

The side yard leads to a narrow enclosed yard between the two mills, surfaced in cement screed, and also to a rear yard on the south side with similar surface, which is connected to another rear yard on the north side by a pedestrian passage only, immediately to the rear of the old mill.

In the rear yard to the south stand a single-storey, a two-storey and a three-storey building, all conjoined, of no special architectural interest. The two-storey block to the south is of concrete brickwork; the two-storey block to the east is rendered with a dry dash and imitation half-timbering in smooth render; the single-storey block is similar.

In the rear yard to the north, the boundary to the north is formed by high metal security fencing. Along the north-east side of the yard, to the rear of the old mill, stand two two-storey buildings comprising a gabled and slated red brick building of plain character with modern windows – fixed lights and top-hung vents – with a later red brick lean-to block on its south side with a corrugated roof. A two-storey red brick building stands to the south of that, with semi-circular arched openings to the west wall, but some openings altered and partly blocked with brickwork, and brick jack arches to the ground floor.