121 University Street Belfast, Bt7 1Hp

121 University Street, Belfast is one of a pair of late Victorian terraced houses built between 1890 and 1893, designed by architect William J Fennell. The building is a two-bay, three-storey structure with attic, constructed in redbrick with Dumfries red sandstone dressings. It is located on University Street at its junction with Sandhurst Road, near Queen's University in South Belfast. University Street forms one of the main roads linking the Ormeau Road to the west with the University area, and is characterised by red brick terraces. Opposite stands a 20th-century hotel building, and to the immediate north-west is All Saints Church, also designed by William J Fennell.

The building is set back from the pavement behind brick dwarf walling with painted and rendered sandstone coping and piers, with replacement railings. The walls are constructed in redbrick laid in Flemish bond with full-height projecting canted bay to the north elevation. The pitched roof is laid with natural slate and finished with terracotta ridge tiles, whilst the canted bay has a natural slate hipped polygonal roof with terracotta ridge tiles and finial. A tall redbrick chimney with cornices and clay pots sits on the west boundary with number 119. Rainwater goods are painted metal, with PVC soil stacks to the rear.

The north front elevation comprises two bays with a three-storey projecting canted bay on the right side and front entrance on the left. A sandstone stringcourse runs at cill level, and sandstone dressings are applied to all openings. The front doorway is reached by modern tiled steps with modern handrails to each side, and a stairlift has been installed to the left side. The original six-panel bolection moulded timber front door features a segmental overlight, and is surmounted by a decorative carved sandstone pediment with a crest depicting a pelican standing on a rose branch. Below this is a scroll inscribed with the motto "PROBITAS FONS HONORIS" (Integrity is the fountain of honour). Smaller carved pediments sit above the first floor window directly above the doorway and to the centre bay of the first floor bay, which features a carved "WG" motif. Original Victorian tiles remain at the base of the steps. Windows on the two lower floors have segmental heads, whilst those on the second floor have straight heads. All original windows have been replaced with timber sliding sash double-glazing throughout. The attic level features 20th-century rooflights. The projecting sandstone eaves cornice is supported by chunky sandstone brackets.

The east gable elevation is fully abutted by number 123 University Street. The west gable elevation is fully abutted by number 119 University Street.

The rear elevation to the south features a rear return to the right side with a single-storey infill at ground floor level. The rear wall of the main block has painted brickwork at ground floor level with brick above. The first floor windows have splayed brick voussoir heads, and there is a large half-landing window opening above with arched voussoirs. A single window opening at high level appears on the east wall of the return.