1933 – Former Burton’s, Ann Street, Belfast

The former Burton’s Store on Ann Street is a good example of a restrained Art Deco building designed by Harry Wilson from Leeds. Wilson designed many Burton’s stores across the UK and Ireland including one in Dublin. A beautifully restrained frontage with elephant head capitals flanking the main window that rises through the facade, with zig-zag patterning on the spandrel panels.

Clad in faience tiles, the illustration is taken from the Belfast Newsletter of August 25th 1933.
“BURTONS BUILDINGS ARE WELL DRESSED IN HATHERN FAIENCE
Many Business Houses, amongst whom Messrs. Montague Burton Ltd. are notably to the fore, recognise that a fine building front is a great asset. HATHERN FAIENCE and TERRA COTTA are unequalled for quality of materials and workmanship, and for producing . . . PERMANENTLY ATTRACTIVE BUILDINGS. Our low prices bring Hathern Faience within the reach of the smaller business owner. Ask your Architect to send for samples and estimates. HATHERN STATION BRICK & TERRA COTTA CO., LTD. LOUGHBOROUGH, England Agent/or Ireland; Mr. Harry Peyton, 12, High St., Belfast. Phone, Belfast 2911.”