Historical Information on 11-15 Donegall Square North

Nos 11-15 Donegall Square North is a significant three-storey red sandstone building, originally constructed for the Belfast Banking Co. between 1895 and 1900, designed by the esteemed architect W. H. Lynn (1829-1915). Lynn, a leading figure in Belfast’s Victorian and Edwardian architectural landscape, initially practised as part of the partnership Lanyon & Lynn, but by the early 20th century, he had established an independent practice in the city. Notably, three decades prior to designing the Belfast Bank, Lynn also created the Italian Gothic linen warehouse located at nos 1-3 Donegall Square North (see HB26/50/015) (Dictionary of Irish Architects).

Construction Timeline and Initial Occupancy

The construction of nos 11-15 Donegall Square North commenced in 1895 and was completed in 1900. Interestingly, the building was first listed in the Annual Revisions in 1896, with its initial value set at £1,281 despite being unfinished. By 1901, the building was fully completed, featuring three ground floor retail units and upper floor office spaces. The Belfast Street Directory of that year recorded the ground floor units as occupied by the Belfast Banking Co., the Patriotic Assurance Co., and the Princes’ Restaurant. The upper floors housed an accountancy firm, a solicitor's office, as well as rooms for a photographer and a clothing merchant. Architect W. H. Lynn also used one of the upper rooms as his main office, sharing the space with Samuel Patrick Close (1842-1925) until his death in 1915 (Belfast Street Directory – 1901; Dictionary of Irish Architects).

Commercial Changes Over the Years

In 1907, the spirit and wine dealers Lyle & Kinahan converted the Princes’ Restaurant into a licensed store. That same year, the Commercial Union of London Insurance Co. occupied one of the ground floor units. By 1918, the Belfast Banking Co. expanded its branch into the adjacent unit, previously occupied by the Patriotic Assurance Co., and into one of the upper floor offices. The 1918 Belfast Street Directory indicates that S. P. Close continued to occupy offices at the site after Lynn’s death in 1915, while various accountants and solicitors continued to occupy the upper floors (Belfast Street Directory – 1907-18).

Valuation and Occupancy During the War

Under the First General Revaluation of Property in Northern Ireland in 1935, nos 11-15 Donegall Square North saw its value increase to £2,270. The disruption caused by the outbreak of the Second World War delayed further revaluation for over two decades. During the war, the Belfast Banking Co. and the Commercial Union of London Insurance Co. continued to occupy the ground floor retail units. Although S. P. Close had vacated the site, other architects, including Hugh Gault and Smith & Cowser, along with surveyors W. H. Stephens & Sons, occupied several of the upper offices (Belfast Street Directory – 1943).

Changes in Ownership and Use

The Belfast Banking Co. vacated nos 11-15 Donegall Square North in 1961 when the Central Branch was relocated to new premises. Following this, the building was leased out to various tenants. By the conclusion of the Second Revaluation (1956-72), the property’s value had risen to £3,508 10s., with various private companies, including Jaeger Co. Shops Ltd. and Renee Meneely Ltd., both clothing retailers, occupying the premises.

Historical Context

According to Patton, nos 11-15 Donegall Square North (originally known as Donegall Square Buildings) replaced several three-storey structures that previously occupied the site. The 1880 Belfast Street Directory indicates that these buildings included the Springfield Bleaching Co., along with offices for a flax spinner, a bleacher, and an oil and chemical merchant (Belfast Street Directory – 1880; Patton, p. 118). For over 60 years, nos 11-15 Donegall Square North served as the Central Branch of the Belfast Banking Co., which was regarded as ‘the most profitable of the Belfast Bank’s branch offices.’ Established in 1827, the Belfast Banking Co. opened its Central Branch in 1897, midway through the construction of the building, and continued to operate until 1961 when a new property was constructed next to the former site. No. 9 Donegall Square North (Bank House) was erected in 1961, designed by Smith & Cowser, while the rest of the former branch offices were leased to tenants (Simpson).

Preservation and Current Use

Listed in 1987, nos 11-15 Donegall Square North has been described by Patton in 1993 as a ‘three-storey building in red sandstone with balustrade cornice.’ Although the interior of the building has been completely stripped, resulting in the loss of all original fabric, it was reconstructed in 1990 by MacRae, Hanlon & Spence, retaining Lynn’s listed classical façade. Despite the complete refurbishment of the interior, the exterior red sandstone façade remains in generally good condition, though it displays signs of ‘past bomb damage presenting as fractures and impact marks’ (Patton, p. 118; Stone Database website). Currently, nos 11-15 Donegall Square North is occupied by two banks, First Trust and Halifax, maintaining its historical link to the banking sector.

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/12/B/43/C/17-44 - Annual Revisions 1897-1930
PRONI VAL/7/B/9/46 - Belfast Revaluation 1900
PRONI VAL/3/B/3/14 – First General Revaluation of Northern Ireland 1935
PRONI VAL/4/B/7/39 – Second General Revaluation of Northern Ireland 1956-1972
Belfast Street Directories (1880-1943)
First Survey Image – HB26/50/174 (1984)
Ordnance Survey Map – 130-13SE (1959)

Secondary Sources

Larmour, P., ‘Belfast: An illustrated architectural guide’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1987.
Patton, M., ‘Central Belfast: An historical gazetteer’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993.
Simpson, N., ‘The Belfast Bank: 1827-1970’ Belfast: Blackstaff Press Ltd., 1975.

Online Resources

Dictionary of Irish Architects - http://www.dia.ie
Stone Database website - http://www.stonedatabase.com//buildings.cfm?bk=2550

70 Lisburn Road

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