Halifax, 11-15 DONEGALL SQUARE NORTH, BELFAST

A three storey commercial ashlar sandstone building on Donegall Square North built in Classical style in 1895-1900 by W.H. Lynn. Modern roof sits unseen behind parapet with urn balusters; round metal downpipe to west corner. Walls of ashlar Dumfries sandstone, band rusticated to the ground floor: moulded, heavily projecting cornices, dentilled to ground and second floors, run at each floor level with plain friezes, the first floor extends to form pediments over slightly projecting bays at each end; continuous moulded string at second floor cill level; the ground floor cornice projects in curved and canted bays forming balconettes to the first floor windows, those over the doorways are stone, those over windows are timber, all the infill balustrading is of timber. The second floor window openings have segmental arched heads with moulded architraves and exaggerated keystones; first floor windows have flat lintels, plain surrounds with cavetto reveals (with the exception of the central window which has a moulded architrave and canopy sitting on volutes forming balconette to window above), paired and tri-partite windows are separated by pilasters with simple moulded capitals. Ground floor end windows have segmental arched heads, the remaining openings have flat lintels. The doorways are framed by black marble columns on octagonal bases with sandstone Ionic capitals carrying full entablature, the columns to the side doorways are engaged; the central door opening is arched with a moulded archivolt and exaggerated keystone. Windows are 2 pane timber replacement sashes, ground floor shop fronts and doors are modern replacements. The south elevation is symmetrical, 11 windows wide (second floor: 2/1/2/1/2/1/2; first floor, tri-partite/1/2/1/2/1/tri-partite). The central section of 7 windows projects slightly and the first floor pedimented tri-partite window projects slightly further. The central first floor window has a canopy on volutes over which forms a balcony to the second floor window. Three columned doorways to ground floor with flanking plate glass shop fronts. The west elevation is abutted by Linenhall Library (HB26/50/013). The north elevation is abutted by HB26/50/273. The east elevation has projecting cornices at each floor level and a cornice matching the south elevation. The ashlar stone wall has three blind windows each to ground and first floors and two to the first floor. Setting 11-15 Donegall Square North is one of many listed buildings forming the boundary of the important square at the heart of Belfast. It sits facing the grounds of City Hall (HB26/50/001A) and the Scottish Prudential building (HB26/50/012). Roof: Unseen. Walls: Sandstone. Windows: timber . RWG: Metal.