Former Ross Mineral Water Works, 17-19 William Street South & 1-7 Montgomery Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3BW

Group of red brick buildings constructed in stages prior to 1900 and in the very early years of the 20th century by Graeme Watt & Tulloch on William Street South and Montgomery Street as offices and factory for Ross's Mineral Waters. The central portion, on William Street South, is two storey three bay, set slightly forward with prominent oriel window. Slated roof set behind Dutch gable with semicircular head and convex shoulders, of red brick with coloured coat of arms under integral broken pediment. First floor has five light oriel window occupying central bay and windows in outer bays under parapets pierced by small arched openings flanking central gable. At ground floor central bay has generous round-headed window (possibly a former entrance) flanked by round-headed recesses in outer bays. Linked to factory portion by plinth. To the right, also on William Street South, is the office block, three storey six bay with ground floor now rendered and shop-fronted and topped with carved stone fascia inscribed 'WA ROSS AND SONS, rising to turrets and gable above cornice level. Outer and two central bays slightly advanced. Roof Bangor blues with tall corbelled red brick chimneys. At attic level, central bays rise to form a brick Dutch gable with small semicircular pediment perched on top and stone skews. Outer bays rise to form square red sandstone turrets with four squat bulging columns on each elevation (square at corners), moulded cornice and square ogical lead roof with finial. Second floor windows rectangular with 1/1 casement windows in outer bays and tripartite mullioned windows in central bays; first floor similar but with inner windows basket-headed. Substantial moulded cornice above ground and second floors. Factory portion to left is relatively plain, three stories of red brick with rendered plinth, ground floor segmental-headed windows blocked up, bays of paired d/h sash windows (6 over 12 at first floor, 6 over 9 at second floor), recessed at upper levels to create paired pilasters separating the bays. Deep eaves corbelled out over second floor, with six brick gables pierced by 12-pane oculi in stone surrounds at outer and four inner bays. Roof Bangor Blue slate, with iron crestings carrying the ornamental lettering ROSS'S and with scrolled finials. Setting This is a substantial group of buildings, prominently located at the entrance to a contemporary shopping mall, and close to the Mayfair Buildings and the Masonic Hall. Roof: natural slate Walls: brick/sandstone Windows: Timber Rwg: Cast iron