The Parks, 31 Collon Lane, Londonderry, BT48 8LQ

The Parks was a house built between 1840 and 1859 in Shantallow, Londonderry. It was demolished and replaced by a public house, the Baltimore Bar. The original house has been described as a "Cottage ornée," suggesting picturesque, informal architectural details. It was a one-and-a-half-story building with rendered walls and a slated roof featuring a modillioned eaves cornice. The entrance was topped by a blind, six-arch arcaded feature supported by consoles, and flanked by double-height windows set within panelled pilastered surrounds. These surrounds had consoles supporting a moulded triangular pediment. The entrance itself was recessed within an elliptical arch, and the door featured solid panels, with a fanlight above having radial and circular astragals. The Valuation Book of 1831-2 recorded a valuation of £18.00 and Charles O’Doherty as the resident. The appearance of the building on an Ordnance Survey map of Londonderry from 1830 differed from later maps. Applications for changes of use were recorded in 1981 (to a restaurant), 1984 (to a public house), and 1986 (alterations to the public bar, designed by architect Sean Green). It was damaged by fire on 28 June 1996, although the Fire Authority deemed the damage minimal. The property then changed ownership, and the current public house was constructed in 1997. Historical records show discrepancies between Ordnance Survey maps, indicating possible alterations or rebuilding over time. The building’s listing was removed on 14 January 1998.