The Cliftonville Road derives its name from a group of classical
villas designed and built by a young architect called Thomas Jackson
(1807-1890), of which these are the most imposing survivors. Jackson
had received his early training in Bristol, and the inspiration
of his houses was its Clifton area, which he hoped to emulate
when he bought a sizeable stretch of land on this road, which
was then largely undeveloped. He built his own house, a detached
villa, at no. 24 (burnt down in 1982), and a semi-detached pair
survives at nos. 34-36. The Regency Greek style of the exterior,
with broad eaves decorated with guttae, laurel wreaths on the
facade, and Doric porches to each house, is continued in the rich
decoration of the interior.
Occupied for many years by well-to-do merchants, the buildings
were acquired in 1901 by the Home for the Blind which had outgrown
its original premises in Hope Street. The three houses were combined
to provide accommodation for 30 females and 20 males. Extensive
fire escapes were added and two large wings extended to the rear,
as well as a bay window on the front of no. 30. With the onset
of the Troubles the Home wished to move to a more stable area,
but had difficulty finding a buyer, and the terrace faced demolition.
Hearth was fortunately able to acquire the property in 1983, and
put a caretaker in until restoration could start.
Hearth originally proposed to restore the property to its original
three houses (a central one at no. 28 flanked by houses with side
porches), but these were still very large, and each house has
been subdivided, retaining the original staircases within flats.
Within each of the new flats, plasterwork, panel doors and ornamental
doorcases have been retained and restored. The later wings and
bay window were demolished, together with unsightly fire escapes
on the gables. Extensive dry rot had to be treated, resulting
in considerable renewal of plasterwork, and a new fire escape
was added to the rear of the building. Although the area is now
much more stable than in the 1970s, several of the original tenants
of the restored flats came to us having been made homeless by
rioting in nearby Manor Street, and Hearth was delighted that
the restoration of this elegant building provided also such badly
needed housing.
Client: Hearth Housing
Association
Architect: Hearth
Quantity Surveyor: David Gould
Structural Engineer: Taylor & Boyd
M & E Engineer: Brian Caldwell Partnership
Main Contractor: Deramore Developments
Restored: 1986
Funded by Housing Association Grant
Accommodation: Four three-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom
flats
