Bank Buildings, Belfast
Encyclopedia
The Bank Buildings is a red Dumfries sandstone
building located at 1-27 Castle Street in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
.
. The building was then converted into a shop in 1805. Also around this time, the area in front of the Bank Buildings was also used to execute criminals before this practice came to an end in 1816. The last three people to be hung were weavers who had twice attacked the home of their employer, Francis Johnston, in an argument over the wages they had been paid.
In 1853, the store was to become home to a wholesale drapery firm. Founded by businessmen William Robertson and Henry Hawkins (Waterford), J. C. Ledlie (Cork), and Robert Ferguson (Belfast), the business soon expanded and became a commercial department store. In 1900 the ground and first floors of the building underwent a major redesign. The architect W. H. Lynn allowed for large plate glass windows to be installed in the lower floors. The department store continued to operate on the first two floors whilst the upper floors were used as a warehouse for the wholesale side of the business.
The building remained under the ownership of Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Company until they were bought out by the House of Fraser
group. The department store still continued to operate from Bank Buildings until Boots took over from House of Fraser. Boots was then forced to move out in 1975. On April 9, three bombs were detonated inside Bank Buildings. The resulting fire extensively damaged the building. Refurbishments were carried out in 1979 and after 18 months the new owners, Primark Stores Limited established a store. They remain the currently owners of the Bank Buildings.
at Clarence Place Hall on July 4, 1923. The league was open to applications from public bodies, private associations, schools and firms. Although they originally submitted a team for the new league, Bank Buildings Football Club never played a competitive match. They are however considered one of the founding members of the Amateur League.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
building located at 1-27 Castle Street in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
History
The original use of the building was as a bank. Since the four founders of the bank all had the first name of John, the bank was called The Bank of the Four Johns. By the turn of the 1800s the bank had collapsed and the buildings became the residence of the bishop of Down and Connor, Rev. Dr. William DicksonWilliam Dickson
William Dickson may refer to:*William Dickson *William Dickson , administrator of Fort Louis in the Falklands in 1833*William Dickson , lawyer, businessman and political figure in Upper Canada...
. The building was then converted into a shop in 1805. Also around this time, the area in front of the Bank Buildings was also used to execute criminals before this practice came to an end in 1816. The last three people to be hung were weavers who had twice attacked the home of their employer, Francis Johnston, in an argument over the wages they had been paid.
In 1853, the store was to become home to a wholesale drapery firm. Founded by businessmen William Robertson and Henry Hawkins (Waterford), J. C. Ledlie (Cork), and Robert Ferguson (Belfast), the business soon expanded and became a commercial department store. In 1900 the ground and first floors of the building underwent a major redesign. The architect W. H. Lynn allowed for large plate glass windows to be installed in the lower floors. The department store continued to operate on the first two floors whilst the upper floors were used as a warehouse for the wholesale side of the business.
The building remained under the ownership of Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Company until they were bought out by the House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
group. The department store still continued to operate from Bank Buildings until Boots took over from House of Fraser. Boots was then forced to move out in 1975. On April 9, three bombs were detonated inside Bank Buildings. The resulting fire extensively damaged the building. Refurbishments were carried out in 1979 and after 18 months the new owners, Primark Stores Limited established a store. They remain the currently owners of the Bank Buildings.
Role within Northern Amateur Football League
Representatives from Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Co attended the first ever meeting of the Northern Amateur Football LeagueNorthern Amateur Football League
The Northern Amateur Football League, also known as the Northern Amateur League and often simply as the Amateur League, is an association football league in Northern Ireland. It contains 13 divisions...
at Clarence Place Hall on July 4, 1923. The league was open to applications from public bodies, private associations, schools and firms. Although they originally submitted a team for the new league, Bank Buildings Football Club never played a competitive match. They are however considered one of the founding members of the Amateur League.