MB Block, University Administration Building 3, University of Ulster, Magee Campus

MB Block, University Administration Building 3, University of Ulster, Magee Campus

This is a detached, symmetrical multi-bay two-storey red brick university building built around 1881, with a two-storey red brick extension to the rear built around 1992. The building sits on an elevated site to the west of Magee University Campus, positioned between MC block to the west and MA block to the east.

The main structure features hipped natural slate roofs with terracotta ridge tiles, lead valleys, and five profiled red brick chimney stacks with terracotta pots and corbelled capstones. Four timber-sheeted gabled dormers with paired 2/1 timber sash windows and timber bargeboards punctuate the roofline. Moulded cast-iron guttering sits on projecting sandstone eaves supported by two courses of angled (cogging) brick, with cast-iron downpipes draining to ground level.

The walls are constructed in red brick laid in Flemish bond with red sandstone trim to the plinth course and sandstone and cogging brick string course between floors. Windows throughout are square-headed with flush red sandstone basket-arched lintels and sandstone sills, fitted with 4/1 timber sash windows featuring slender ogee horns; some retain historic glass.

The symmetrical south-facing front elevation is four bays wide, with full-height three-sided canted bay windows at either end. Each bay has a Dutch-style wall-head dormer window with curvilinear coping and ball finial. To the left of centre, window openings have been repositioned to accommodate a new Tudor-arched door opening, which reuses leaded overlight from the west elevation. This door opens onto a concrete universal access ramp with steel handrails on a brick plinth wall.

The asymmetrical west side elevation features a projecting large brick chimney stack with an angled vertical projecting course rising above the eaves. To the left of the chimney is a red sandstone blank cartouche set within a red sandstone panel. The ground floor central window opening contains a four-centred arched red sandstone doorcase (now filled with a 4/2 timber sash window) flanked by Tuscan pilasters with foliate carving to the capitals, set on raised plinths. The pilasters are surmounted by scrolled and fluted console brackets, also bearing foliate carving with swags, supporting a hood cornice above; diamond-fielded spandrel panels complete the composition.

The east side elevation is asymmetrical, mirroring the west elevation. Its doorcase matches the former opening to the west, featuring a panelled and glazed timber door with leaded stained glass overlight. This door also opens onto a concrete universal access ramp with steel handrails.

The rear (north) elevation is abutted by a U-plan two-storey extension enclosing a small central courtyard. Windows on this elevation are 6/2 timber sashes and do not align between ground and first floor levels. Two small rooflights pierce the north-facing roof slope overlooking the courtyard. Projecting gabled returns to left and right have externally rebuilt corbelled chimney stacks with angled vertical courses above first floor level and red clay pots. The east and west faces of these returns, facing into the courtyard, retain 2/1 sliding sash windows to the upper level with modern aluminium fixed lights below.

The building sits to the north of a bituminac driveway that passes the front elevation, opening onto the Northland Road entrance to the campus.