IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Marcus Ward Street, BELFAST, BT7 1RP

An entry running off Salisbury Street Image It becomes Ashburne (“Ashbourne” on the Google map) Place once round the corner on the right.

Somerset Studios seen from Bankmore Street. The building is not listed but is officially described as “The former Somerset and Co Ltd Linen Factory was converted into loft apartments in 1998. This building was surveyed in the First Survey but not listed. A partial record only was taken during the Second Survey as the building is not worthy of a full survey.” Previously seen in October 2007 Image I have no connection with the building and cannot enter into correspondence.

On the left is the former Somerset’s linen factory built in 1904 and thought to be the first reinforced-concrete framed building in Ireland. After lying vacant for a number of years it was converted to Somerset Studios at the time when “loft living” was fashionable. On the right is the multi-storey car park behind the multiplex cinema on the Dublin Road. (Note for concrete enthusiasts - it was the “Hennebique system”).

The view along Marcus Ward Street. The multi-storey car park is on the right, the Hotel ETAP http://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/7560 in background (left).

The view, across Bankmore Square, from Bankmore Street. “Bankmore Square” is an interim name for land reserved for an inner ring road (originally the Bankmore Link and now the Shaftesbury Link) planned more than 40 years ago and never built.

Salisbury Court (between Salisbury Street and Hartington Street) off the Dublin Road was built in the 80’s (as part of a larger scheme) replacing old small terraced houses.

See Image Now looking as if it’s close to completion. The scaffolding hides what will be a mainly glass frontage to the Dublin Road. Continue to Image

See Image Although not, perhaps, formally complete the appearance of the building is fairly close to its final form. Image shows the one it replaced. Image shows the estate agent’s impression of this one. Image shows the building when occupied.

See Image For whatever reasons it’s not unusual to see several homeless people in doorways along the Dublin Road. None today – just this sleeping bag opposite Ventry Street.

See Image Shopfitter’s hoarding now in place – a hope that this long-vacant building might be about to return to commercial use. It’s been vacant since the closure of a “Pizza Hut” Image branch back in May 2009 – yes that long! The view is from Ventry Street. Image shows the premises after re-opening.