1928 – Former Bank of Ireland, Royal Avenue, Belfast

A fabulous Art Deco building finished in Portland Limestone, on an important corner site in Belfast, this Bank of Ireland branch closes off the long Royal Avenue vista. The building has three bays along North Street and four bays on Royal Avenue, meeting at a chamfered corner. The corner is capped by a typical Art Deco style tower and clock and features decorative metal panels between the windows. The Irish Builder described it on opening as “frankly modern in design” and “the best modern building in Belfast”. Since the bank closed in 2005, the building has fallen into disrepair. Now derelict. Grade B+ Listed.

Described at the time of construction: “The bank will be a steel frame structure and Portland stone will be used in its construction. The large windows will have metal frames, and it is probably that the main entrance and the entrance from Royal Avenue will have bronze doors. The roof will be flat, and a striking feature of the design will be the central tower, surmounted by a copper covered dome. The building is being erected on a concrete raft.

The main entrance, set on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, will give access to a vestibule leading to the banking hall on the main floor. The public space will be in the centre of the room, surrounded by the official’s desks. There will also be a gallery for the banking hall, which will be available for addition staff, if required. Admirable accommodation is being provided for the officials, including a lunchroom with kitchen adjoining. A basement will contain books safes and heating chamber, and the heating will be the latest low pressure hot water type.

The first and second floors will contain offices to be known as Bank of Ireland Chambers, with a separate entrance from Royal Avenue, which can be seen in the illustration. The upper floor will contain the caretaker’s apartment, comprising a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom etc., with access to a flat roof, on which a garden will probably be planted.”