51-53 Molesworth Street, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, BT80 8NX

51-53 Molesworth Street, Cookstown

A well-proportioned and detailed polychromatic building influenced by the writings of John Ruskin, representing an important element of nineteenth-century architectural heritage in Cookstown. The building forms part of the town centre's continuing urbanization and growing prosperity following the arrival of the railways, and shares group value with other listed buildings on this significant street. The terrace (19-53 Molesworth Street) was built over a thirty-year period in many stages, yet has maintained remarkable uniformity throughout.

This is a terraced three-storey former Victorian house, dated circa 1879-1880, with a replacement shopfront at ground level from circa 1969. The building forms part of a long mixed terrace constructed in stages between 1850 and 1880. A single-storey flat-roofed return abuts the rear elevation, with an additional two-storey rendered and metal-clad lean-to return to the east. A further two-storey outbuilding to the rear abuts this return.

The street-facing north elevation is divided at ground floor into three parts: a doorway to the east, a central shopfront, and a coach arch to the right. The walls are constructed of polychromatic brick in Flemish bond with chamfered brick reveals to openings. The shopfront is symmetrically composed with a recessed central glazed timber door featuring a carved timber architrave and cut stone splayed threshold. Fixed-pane timber display windows flank the doorway, set on a timber stall riser. The shopfront is surmounted by a signboard with plain timber brackets to its edges.

The semi-circular headed doorway contains a panelled door with fanlight. The door surround comprises chamfered polychromatic brick, brick voussoirs, and a carved stone plinth at the base. A saw-tooth drip moulding over the fanlight carries carved brick label stops. The elliptical-headed coach arch features chamfered polychromatic voussoirs and yellow brick reveals to the door surround, with matching brick dressings.

The first floor contains semi-circular headed windows and the second floor contains segmental-headed windows, all fitted with 1/1 timber sliding sash windows. Classical proportions reduce at upper levels. Window surrounds are defined by chamfered polychromatic brick voussoirs and chamfered yellow brick reveals, with carved stone sills at the base. A yellow saw-tooth drip moulding string course runs over the first-floor windows, and a further yellow brick string course marks the window head level at second floor. Polychromatic diamond brick patterning appears between each window bay. A saw-tooth brick string course runs at eaves level.

The pitched slate roof carries artificial slate and cast-iron gutters, though replacement uPVC downpipes have been installed. The polychromatic brick chimney to the left side of the roof has a profiled brick saw-tooth surround. The rear return incorporates a mixture of painted timber sash windows. Walls are partially rendered and partially faced with corrugated metal, incorporating a tall rendered chimney with clay pot. Corrugated asbestos and corrugated iron roofs cover the return and outbuilding.

The building is set in the north-east of the town centre as part of a uniform three-storey terrace.

Historically, the present numbers 51, 53 and 55 were originally a single property built in 1879-1880 by Samuel Turkington, with an original rateable value of £32-15-0. David Acheson took over as leaseholder and occupant from Turkington in 1909, holding the lease until 1916 when it reverted to the representatives of Samuel Turkington. William J. Heatrick became leaseholder and occupant in 1954, John Sharkey acquired the building in 1960, and M. Coulton acquired it in 1970.