108 North Street & 1 Gresham Street, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT1 1LE

A three-storey Mannerist-style, former Gas Showrooms, likely built to the designs of James Gamble, c.1908. Located on the corner of North Street and Gresham Street, previously one of a terrace, now the only block remaining. Rectangular on plan, one-bay wide along North Street with chamfered corner bay and four bays wide along Gresham Street. Three partially hipped slate roofs over each linear bay, with black roll-moulded ridge-tiles extending east to west; roof of southern-most bay has been levelled and a square-plan, timber frame and glazed addition added. Roof of main elevations concealed behind a solid parapet, over heavily moulded and projecting eaves course. Rainwater goods also concealed behind parapet with square cast-iron downpipes. Walling is generally painted stucco, over projecting plinth; storeys defined by heavy cornices; bays defined by piers at second floor; walls adorned with applied embellishments. Windows are generally segmental-headed with replacement timber or metal frames; generally having moulded and lugged architraves and cills with projecting keystone over, intersecting string course (unless otherwise stated). North-east proportion of ground floor is characterized by five openings, including canted entrance bay, which each have octagonal polished granite columns on either side, carrying the heavily corbelled cornice above. Large recessed openings are timber-framed and glazed over mosaic tile plinth; with modern curved plastic-coated awnings over. Principal elevation faces north, one window wide with chamfered corner to far left-side, also having single openings to each floor. Venetian window to first floor of main north elevation. Shop window to ground floor and modern glazed entrance door to chamfered corner. East elevation has four regularly arranged windows across upper floors, except for single oculus to far left of first floor. Ground floor is asymmetrical with three shop windows to right-side; left-side contains a replacement six-panelled timber door with plain glass transom and hood mould over, having a round headed window to right and Venetian window to left; semicircular window to far left-side. South elevation is one bay wide with a single window to first floor. West elevation is largely roughcast brick with some smooth render and paint to upper right-side. Elevation is completely blank as it was previously abutted by adjoining building. Setting Located on a prominent corner site, the long axis addresses Gresham Street while the short axis lines North Street. Situated near to the principal crossroads between Royal Avenue and North Street, the building is clearly visible from this junction and there are a number of important structures nearby including, the Bank of Ireland (HB26/50/187), Sinclair’s Store (HB26/50/186) and No.104 Royal Avenue (HB26/50/184). Roof : Slate RWG : Cast-iron and replacement metal Walling: Stucco Windows: Timber / metal casements