Survey Data
Reg No
31204016
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
House
In Use As
Office
Date
1800 - 1838
Coordinates
124221, 318755
Date Recorded
10/12/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Terraced two-bay three-storey townhouse, extant 1838. Now in alternative use. One of a pair. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles terminating in rendered chimney stacks having shallow capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered cut-limestone eaves[?]retaining cast-iron downpipe. Rendered, ruled and lined walls. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows retaining three-over-six (top floor) timber sash windows without horns. Segmental-headed door opening with threshold, timber doorcase with panelled pilasters supporting "Cyma Recta" or "Cyma Reversa" cornice on ogee consoles, and concealed dressings framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Interior including (ground floor): vestibule; square-headed door opening into entrance hall-cum-staircase hall with carved timber Classical-style surround framing glazed diagonal timber boarded or tongue-and-groove timber panelled door having overlight; entrance hall-cum-staircase hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in turned timber newel, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landings framing timber panelled doors, and run moulded plasterwork cornices to ceilings; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers. Street fronted with concrete footpath to front.
Appraisal
A townhouse erected as one of a pair (including 31204015) representing an integral component of the early nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of Ballina with the architectural value of the composition, one of the 'many new houses built [within the last ten years] by merchants and others engaged in trade and commerce' (Lewis 1837 I, 104), confirmed by such traits as the compact plan form; and the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the historic or original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including some crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of a townhouse forming part of a self-contained ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in Kevin Barry Street.