1894 – Villas, Donaghadee, Co. Down

Architect: William Batt

0098

“THE plans of these villas were prepared for a gentleman residing in Belfast, who for many years has been an annual visitor to this watering place. They were to have been built on an elevated site on the road to Bangor, and contain drawing and diningrooms on ground floor, as well as back parlour, which in case of an invalid, could also be used as a bedroom having entrance into garden from same through sash door. A large kitchen &c were provided, four commodious bedrooms were placed over lower apartments, and servant’s room with bathroom and wc in the return. The exterior it was proposed should be finished in Portland cement neatly lined, and coloured. Houses of this description are very much required, and are in great demand and if erected would let readily and prove a good and safe investment. Owing to the very arbitrary obsolete,and one sided clauses introduced into the lease, and which no sane person would agree to, a delay in the erection of these villas has taken place. As it is one of the few watering resorts of easy access from Belfast, it is to be regretted that it is allowed to remain in its rather primitive state a fact which is realized in many ways by those who visit it. Building and other operations are not allowed to proceed in the same manner as they are in Bangor, a place only a few miles off by the respected popular and enterprising owners, who in a few years provided a good sewerage system, an abundant water supply encouraged parties to take land and have greatly increased their rent rolls thereby. The plans were prepared by Mr. William Batt architect of Royal Avenue Belfast”. Published in The Irish Builder, April 15 1894.