5 River Row

5 River Row is a house within a terrace, part of a significant group of early industrial dwellings at Abercanaid. These originally comprised seven terraces in four rows facing east, situated between the river and canal. The terraces included one in River Row, two facing and two backing onto Nightingale Street, two in Canal Row, and to the north, three longer rows at right angles to the river and canal, known as The Squares. A terrace of larger houses backed onto the canal, with two detached houses intended for higher-grade employees. While seven terraces remain, five are listed, though they have undergone alterations since their initial listing in 1975. The rear two terraces in Canal Row are unlisted, and the terraces to the north, along with one of the detached houses, have been demolished, leaving the other, Llwynyreos, standing.

The houses were likely constructed between 1852 and 1861, possibly by the Plymouth Iron Company, to accommodate workers at the Abercanaid Pit and Pentrebach Forge. Despite their small size, the homes were relatively generous for the time, similar in concept to those at the nearby Triangle, Pentrebach (now demolished). They are double-fronted, unlike earlier single-window and door examples seen at the terrace from Rhydycar (now at St Fagans Museum). However, the houses were narrow, with roof spans of 4-5 metres, and initially lacked rear outshuts, as they had access paths at both the front and rear.

Originally, the houses had a plan form centred around a passageway and a rear staircase. They were constructed of rubble stone with small-paned sash windows, slate roofs, and stone chimneys, featuring stone voussoirs to openings on both floors. The facades are slightly offset to accommodate larger kitchen chimneys, creating mirrored pairs. Gardens were accessible via a footpath running along the terrace line.

The houses backing onto gardens (Nos. 70-81 Nightingale Street) have generally been extended to the rear, while the others retain their original depth. Similar houses further south in Nightingale Street appear to be of later date and are also significantly altered, yet contribute to the character of the Abercanaid settlement.

As originally built, the rear walls were of rubble stone, containing one small door and a pantry window below on one side, and a single small upper window. No. 5 River Row features 4-pane sash windows and a 20th-century door with overlight. It has no chimneys, and the rear rubble stone wall includes a door and a tiny window below, as well as a small upper window. The property was not inspected at the time of this description.