Survey Data
Reg No
50010816
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Previous Name
Mountjoy School
Original Use
House
Historical Use
School
In Use As
Apartment/flat (converted)
Date
1790 - 1795
Coordinates
316008, 235512
Date Recorded
05/12/2011
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Terraced three-bay four-storey house over raised basement, built c.1792. Now in multiple occupancy. M-profile pitched slate roof having shared brick chimneystacks and clay pots, hidden behind rebuilt red brick parapet wall with granite coping. Red brick wall laid in Flemish bond having flush pointing with cast-iron wall ties to moulded granite plinth course over ruled-and-lined rendered wall to basement. Brown brick finish to rear elevation partially rebuilt in red brick. Gauged brick flat-arch window openings having patent rendered reveals, granite sills and replacement timber sliding sash windows, original nine-over-six pane without horns and with bowed wrought-iron balconettes to first floor, six-over-six pane to basement with grilles, and to second floor, and three-over-three pane to top floor. Block-and-start granite surrounds and steel grilles to windows to basement. Gauged brick round-headed door opening having moulded masonry surround, rendered reveal and painted stone Ionic doorcase, with replacement timber panelled door flanked by engaged Ionic columns, leaded sidelights and quarter engaged responding Ionic pilasters supporting fluted stepped lintel cornice and replacement fanlight with fluted surround. Door opens onto granite platform having stubs of cast-iron bootscrapers and three granite steps bridging basement. Platform and basement enclosed by original wrought-iron railings and cast-iron corner posts set on moulded granite plinth wall to street with matching iron gate providing basement access. Concrete steps having metal railings to basement. Coal hole covers to pavement to front, doors to basement area serving under-pavement stores.
Appraisal
This house forms part of a terrace of eighteen on the north side of Mountjoy Square. It retains its original timber sash windows to the first floor, and the façade is enlivened by striking decorative details, including the doorcase and first floor balconettes, and the decreasing scale of fenestration is testament to its early date of construction. The retention of the stone and metal details and features to the basement and entrance areas contributes significantly to the architectural interest of this building. Maintaining the fenestration rhythm and parapet line of the terrace, this building makes a positive contribution to the important urban landscape of Mountjoy Square. Mountjoy Square was built on lands formerly belonging to St. Mary’s Abbey and laid out in 1790 by Luke Gardiner II, completed by 1818. Originally called Gardiner Square the plan was to develop a strong vista from Custom House to Mountjoy Square then on to the planned Royal Circus. Unlike other Georgian squares in the city, this example was more carefully laid out with a unified parapet height and the east-west approaches offset to create a sense of enclosure. After falling into serious neglect and dereliction throughout the twentieth-century resulting in the loss of one third of its original buildings, the square has since been repaired.