Survey Data
Reg No
15502039
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
House
In Use As
Office
Date
1700 - 1840
Coordinates
304724, 122125
Date Recorded
07/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Terraced three-bay three-storey townhouse, extant 1840, on a rectangular plan. Renovated, ----, to accommodate alternative use. For sale, 2005. One of a pair. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stack having stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slate flagged rendered red brick header bond stepped eaves retaining cast-iron hopper and downpipe. Fine roughcast walls with rusticated rendered piers to ends. Round- or segmental-headed door opening (south) with step supporting wrought iron bootscraper, and concealed dressings framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement uPVC casement windows. Interior including (ground floor): hall retaining timber surrounds to door openings framing timber doors, moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber "spindle" balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in turned timber newels, and timber surrounds to door openings to landings framing timber doors; reception room (north) retaining timber surround to door opening framing timber door with timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, chimneypiece, and picture railing below moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber doors with timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Street fronted with concrete footpath to front.
Appraisal
A townhouse erected as one of a pair of houses (including 15502040) representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of Wexford with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roofline. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the modest artistic potential of the composition: however, the introduction of replacement fittings to most of the openings has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of a townhouse forming part of a self-contained ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in George's Street Lower.