53 Main Street, Limavady, Co Londonderry, BT49 OEP

This two-storey, four-bay terraced building on Main Street in Limavady is an example of a simple town vernacular style, likely constructed between 1750 and 1920. Its significance lies in its unassuming character, which harmonizes with surrounding buildings, and the retention of historic window details and a steeply sloping roof in the upper portion of the facade. The modern shopfront is considered sympathetic to the overall design, though a closer alignment with the upper-floor window placement would be an improvement. The building is a diminishing type within the area and represents a building of local interest.

The building faces northwest onto Main Street, with a passageway running along the southwest side providing access to the rear. The first floor has four twelve-pane sliding sash windows, featuring painted stone sills. The ground-floor openings do not directly correspond to those above. The entrance door is set within a plain opening, positioned nearly in line with the second bay from the northeast end. Two wide, plain windows of a similar size flank the door. The roof is covered with natural slate, and brick chimneys are located at each end of the ridge. There are no windows on the side gable. A two-story return section is flush to the rear. Interior spaces are lit by barred sash windows. A circular tie rod plate has been inserted to address a bulge in the walls. A chimney sits on the end of the return, which features two ground-floor windows. The building is lower than its neighbours and has a steeper roof pitch, distinguishing it from other buildings on the street.

The building appears on a map from 1830, and the steep roof pitch and bulging walls may suggest an even earlier construction date. It was divided into two separate units by 1848. According to Griffiths Valuation of 1858, the building was rented from Henry Tyler to Anne Doherty and Marcus Doherty for £10.5s each. The building has been used as a butcher’s shop since the turn of the century, and occupants are currently considering expanding the shop.