Historical Information on 18 Donegall Square East

Overview of 18 Donegall Square East

No. 18 Donegall Square East is a three-storey Georgian townhouse constructed around 1830. Built from Ashlar stone, it, alongside the adjoining No. 19 and 2 May Street (HB26/50/172B), is one of the few remaining examples of the original residential character of Donegall Square, which has largely transitioned to commercial use.

Historical Context

The building first appears on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map for Belfast, dated 1832-33, depicting a terrace along the eastern side of Donegall Square. The Townland Valuations from around 1830 recorded No. 18 as valued at £80, occupied by John Workman Esq., a local ship-owner and proprietor of Messers. J. and R. Workman, a manufacturing business (Belfast Street Directory – 1843-1852).

Ownership and Occupancy Changes

According to Brett’s Georgian Belfast: 1750-1850, John Workman acquired the lease for No. 18 Donegall Square East in September 1831. By at least 1859, the property was occupied by Mr. William Girdwood, a printer from the Oldpark Printworks. Griffith’s Valuation in that year noted that Girdwood leased the site from Workman, with a reduced value of £56 since the 1830s. The occupancy of No. 18 changed frequently over the next three decades. By 1868, Girdwood had vacated, and by 1877, the building had transitioned to commercial use.

Commercial Transition

In 1877, the Jaffe Brothers, local linen and yarn merchants, occupied the ground floor while Alex Patterson & Co., another textile firm, occupied the upper floors. By 1893, Alexander Patterson & Co. fully occupied the building, which had decreased in value to £35 due to its conversion to commercial use around 1870.

YWCA Occupation

In 1893, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) acquired No. 18 and converted it into a meeting hall primarily for religious purposes. A revaluation in 1900 set the property value at £67, including a ground plan that showed a rectangular structure with a large rear return, a recent addition that housed a restaurant for members. The main meeting hall on the first floor could accommodate 300 people.

Historical Significance and Architectural Features

The YWCA occupied No. 18 Donegall Square East until the mid-20th century. The First General Revaluation of property in Northern Ireland (1935) noted an increased value of £75, reflecting its outright purchase by the YWCA. In 1943, the property was shared with A. E. Stevenson, a plumber and electrical engineer. By 1956, the YWCA had vacated, and A. E. Stevenson occupied the site until the end of the second revaluation in 1972, with a recorded value of £64 for the basement.

Architectural Description

Nos. 18 and 19 Donegall Square East are the only surviving Georgian townhouses from around 1830, representing Donegall Square's original residential character. Patton notes that the area was part of the Castle Gardens in the 17th to early 18th century, evolving significantly with the construction of the White Linen Hall between 1783-85. Donegall Square was named in honour of the Second Marquis of Donegall, who resided at Donegall House, previously located at the square's corner.

Preservation Status

A photograph of Donegall Square East reveals that Nos. 18-19 were part of a terrace of similarly designed townhouses. Originally residential, the Georgian terrace gradually converted to commercial space in the mid-to-late-19th century as Belfast’s commercial centre shifted southwards. No. 18 was used as a linen merchant's office until 1893 when the YWCA repurposed it as a meeting hall.

Listing and Current Status

No. 18 Donegall Square East was listed, alongside No. 19, in 1986. Patton describes it as a three-storey block with a basement and attic, constructed of gingery-brown ashlar that has weathered with an unusual pitted pattern. Despite currently lying vacant, it remains an excellent example of a Georgian townhouse, with the residential character of the area significantly diminished, although similar early-19th century examples persist on nearby Chichester Street, Joy Street, Hamilton Street, and May Street.

References

Primary Sources

PRONI OS/6/1/61/2 – Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1858
PRONI OS/6/1/61/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1901-02
PRONI OS/6/1/61/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1931
PRONI OS/6/1/61/5 – Fifth Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1938
PRONI VAL/1/B/720A+B – Townland Valuation c.1830
PRONI VAL/2/B/7/1A – Griffith’s Valuation 1859
PRONI VAL/12/B/43/A/1-14 – Annual Revisions 1863-1896
PRONI VAL/12/B/43/C/17-44 - Annual Revisions 1897-1930
PRONI VAL/7/B/9/47 – Belfast Revaluation 1900
PRONI VAL/3/B/3/13 – First General Revaluation of Northern Ireland 1935
PRONI VAL/4/B/7/39 – Second General Revaluation of Northern Ireland 1956-1972
Belfast Street Directories (1819-1943)
Ordnance Survey Map – 130-13SE (1959)

Secondary Sources

Brett, C. E. B., ‘Georgian Belfast, 1750-1850: Maps, buildings and trades’ Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 2004.
Patton, M., ‘Central Belfast: An historical gazetteer’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993.
Pollock, V. & Parkhill, T., ‘Britain in old photographs: Belfast’ Gloucestershire, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 1997.

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