28 Edward Road, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, BT38 9RU

28 Edward Road, Whitehead

A detached, double-height, three-bay single-storey telephone exchange building in utilitarian modern style, dated 1953, located on the south side of Edward Road. The building is a well-preserved example of this building type and demonstrates the extent of telecommunications development in the twentieth century.

The structure has a T-shaped plan with a modern flat-roofed extension added to the rear around 1970 (original drawings date this to 1978). The roof is pitched and finished with clay tiles over cavetto-moulded sandstone eaves, which are partially replaced; cavetto-moulded kneeler stones project at the gables, with clay ridge tiles. The walls are constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond over a projecting plinth.

Windows throughout are square-headed 'Crittall' style steel-framed casements, divided horizontally, set in concrete surrounds. The principal elevation faces north and comprises a central projecting gabled bay containing a single dipartite window surmounted by raised typeface reading 'Telephone Exchange' with a carved stone datestone inscribed '1953'. A narrow square-headed louvred opening sits at the apex. To the east is a group of three windows; to the west is a dipartite window. The left bay contains a single window to its right; the right bay contains a square-headed entrance opening fitted with modern double-leaf horizontally sheeted timber doors. The east gable displays a central quadripartite window surmounted by a pair of square-headed openings with concrete lintels containing replacement steel louvres, and a narrow square-headed louvred opening at the apex. The south elevation has a central gable abutted by a link block to the extension; an exposed section to the right contains a window with a narrow square-headed louvred opening at the apex; the left bay is blank; the right bay contains a single casement window. The west elevation contains a central quadripartite louvred opening with a narrow square-headed louvred opening at the apex.

The site is enclosed by high wire fencing on all sides, accessed through a pair of steel gates. Brick plinth walling lines the Edward Road boundary. A tarmac parking area lies to the south-east of the site, with garden areas to the north and south. Rainwater goods comprise cast-iron half-round gutters with round downpipes.

The building retains original external features including windows and stone detailing. It is currently in use as a telephone exchange and is located within a conservation area.