ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA ( ACA ) · ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA ( ACA ) 1 Dartmouth Square 2 2.0 Historical Context Dartmouth Square was the last in the series of formal

DARTMOUTH SQUARE AND ENVIRONS

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA( ACA )

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1.0 Introduction / Location

Dartmouth Square is located due south of GrandParade and midway between Ranelagh Road andLesson Street Upper, approximately 2km southof the city centre. The square comprises a centralpark, approximately 0.8 hectares (2 acres) insize surrounded by four streets, DartmouthSquare East, West, North and South, which aretwo-storey over basement red brick Victorianhouses.

Dartmouth Square is one of a series of formalVictorian residential squares, which were laidout in Dublin in the nineteenth century. Thelandscaped central area, with its mature planting,provides a contrast to the surrounding terraces ofVictorian houses (which are protected structures)and is a visually important element in thecharacter of the area.

The relationship of the landscaped central park to theuniform red brick residential Victorian terraces formsan integral component of this architectural set piece.

As part of an initiative to retain this setting and toprotect and enhance its unique character, Dublin CityCouncil is proposing to designate Dartmouth Squareas an Architectural Conservation Area. The proposedboundaries of the ACA are delineated on the mapbelow.



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Dartmouth Square

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2.0 Historical Context

Dartmouth Square was the last in the series offormal Georgian and Victorian squares to bedeveloped in Dublin. St. Stephen's Green wasthe earliest, commencing in the late 17th century/early 18th century, and the longest in coming tofruition. Buildings took place around the Greenin an ad-hoc manner. Plots were laid out aroundParnell Square in the mid-eighteenth century,and Mountjoy Square, Merrion Square andFitzwilliam Square were laid out in the late-eighteenth century. Unlike St. Stephen's Green,where plots were used for various purposes, inthe later squares there were strict controls onbuilding form and style to ensure uniformity.

The development of Dartmouth Squarecoincided with the movement of the middleclass from the city to suburbs. Suburban growthgenerally commenced in Dublin as with manyEuropean cities from the beginning of thenineteenth century. The expansion of themiddle class population together with thedereliction of the fabric of the city, precipitatedby the Act of Union in 1801, and the distressand poor health of the city population wereincentives to move to healthier surroundings.The suburban development of the RathminesTownship was carried out in the classical style.The roads were laid out in a formal manner andthe houses built in the classical style thatfollowed closely the earlier Georgiandevelopers of Dublin. Developers of theprivate estates had a major responsibility for theclassical extension of the city from the lateseventeenth century. One of the maincharacteristics of these squares was the layoutconsisting of straight and wide streetsproviding vistas to distant features andlandmarks.

The Victorians were strongly influenced by theearlier classical approach to design but adoptedfeatures from wider sources introducing lessrestrained and more varied styles.

Mountpleasant Square in Ranelagh was laid out inthe early nineteenth century in the late G e o rg i a nperiod, and Dartmouth Square, laid out in the latenineteenth century, finishes the series of formalsquares associated with residential development.



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2.1 Historical Background to DartmouthSquare

This was the last nineteenth century square to bedeveloped. The Darley Estate built the houses aspart of the speculative development of part of thesouth side of the city.

From about mid nineteenth century, a singlequite substantial house stood beside the canal atthe end of what is now no. 1-17 DartmouthSquare (formerly Uxbridge Terrace). It mayhave been a nursery as there were plotsadjoining it. Other than this, there appear tohave been no other buildings on what is nowDartmouth Square until the late 1890's. Theordnance survey map of 1864 shows the areaundeveloped, while the 1870 ordnance surveymap shows the square laid out, but with thesurrounding buildings not yet built. Though it ismarked on the ordnance survey maps c. 1870,other maps in the Valuation Office for the sameperiod show the east, west and south sidesdesignated as 'pasture' lands and thecentral park and north side as 'tillage'. By the1897 ordnance survey map, houses have beenbuilt on all sides, trees are evident around theexterior perimeter of the park.

G e n e r a l l y , a t t h e t i m e , w h e nconstruction of residential squares or streetswas under way the roads were laid out by oneperson and full time builders operated on a smallscale, building just three or fours houses at atime. Rathmines and Rathgar township weredeveloped on partly speculative lines without asingle controlling landlord. HoweverDartmouth Square was an exception as this wasbuilt by a single developer.

The area where Dartmouth Square is now wasrelatively low-lying with two streams crossing it. Asmall tributary of the River Swan, which started in thevicinity of Portobello, went eastward alongside thecanal and on reaching Ranelagh changed course todiagonally cross the south-west corner of the squareand continue down Lesson Street. Anothermysterious stream with no name is shownmeandering snake-like along the east side of thesquare. As the area was low-lying with two streamscrossing this may account for the fact that it was thelast area between Ranelagh and the canals to bedeveloped.

According to the minutes of the Rathmines UrbanDistrict Council for 1896, the owner of the land, aMr. Darley, 'offered the council a small piece of landas a scavenging station' (dump). Some years musthave elapsed between the laying out of the squareand the building of the houses, and this lapse of timesuggests that the dump was used to raise the level ofthe low-lying land. Recent excavations (pre 2001)when Dublin City Council's Parks Department didextensive landscaping in the park unearthed,amongst other things, many bottles of differentshapes and sizes, reinforcing the possibility that itmay have been built up by dumping.

Uxbridge Terrace was the name given to the firstterrace of houses, no. 1-17, built on the square, fromDartmouth Road to the Canal. The north and southsides followed and then the east side. Lastly, no.s 37-40b, originally called Dartmouth Villas, were builton the canal end of the east side.



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3.0

3.1

Description and Character Appraisal

Architectural Character

Dartmouth Square is a rectangular square linedon all sides by houses. These are identical indesign and are good examples of Dublin'sVictorian residential architecture. The centralopen space which is divided off from thesurrounding roads by railings and plinth is part ofthe composition of this residential Victoriansquare and forms an integral component of thisarchitectural set-piece.

The houses facing onto the square compriseterraced two-bay, two-storey over basementhouses with redbrick facades on the twoupper floors and rock-faced granite facingto basement level. The facades displaydecorative cornices of brick corbels, whichsupport cast-iron rainwater goods. The housesfacing the square have double span pitched slateroofs, which are hipped to terrace ends. Theroofs are nearly all covered with natural slate,probably Blue Bangor but a number have beenreplaced with artificial slate. The redbrickchimneystacks are especially noteworthydisplaying narrow recessed panels, string andcornice courses. The chimneystacks on the westside of Dartmouth Square still retain theirattractive terracotta chimneypots. These houseswere the first terrace of houses to be constructedon the square and were originally known asUxbridge Terrace.

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Dartmouth Square

Dartmouth Square

Dartmouth Square



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Front elevation

Detail of railings and granite plinth

The houses all display recessed porches, a commonfeature of late nineteenth century houses. The doorsare set back within the porches and are flanked bysidelights, the upper half of which are glazed with asquare-headed overlight, some of which areseparated by glazing bars. The doors are largelyintact and are generally composed of six verticaltimber panels and they still retain original doorfurniture including doorknockers and letterboxes.The windows have segmental- headed openings toground and first floor with square-headed openingselsewhere, all with granite cills. The windows wereoriginally timber single-pane sash windows, withtwo-over-two timber sash windows to basementlevel and perhaps also to rear elevation. Mostwindows survive to the front elevation. A strikingfeature throughout is the monumental granite stepswhich lead up to the front doors. Doorscrapers arefound adjacent to the doorway.

The gardens are fronted by granite plinth wallssurmounted by cast and wrought-iron railings withpedestrian gates, which are flanked by decorativearched cast and wrought-iron gateposts. Most of therailings survive with only one front site changed. Thehouses are all protected structures.

The houses around the square have not been alteredto any great extent and most of them retain theiroriginal period features and present an attractivefaçade of typical Victorian terraced housing. Thehouses are built in pairs in a terrace with recessedporches. This area does not appear to be an area ofparking stress, which has meant that the vast majorityof the front gardens are still intact. This significantlyenhances the setting of the square and is an importantaspect of the character of the conservation area.



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Terrace of six houses

East Side of Dartmouth Square

A short terrace of six houses is located between thecanal and Dartmouth Square. Today the addressesare 37-40b Dartmouth Square East but originallythese were called Dartmouth Villas and were the lasthouses to be built on the square. These houses arevery different in construction style and scale to therest of the houses facing onto Dartmouth Square.They are comprised of terraced, two-bay, two-storeyredbrick houses, built c. 1890 with gable-fronted fullheight canted-bay windows. They display recessedsquare-headed porches with most retaining theiroriginal timber panelled and glazed doors. Twohouses still retain their original timber casementwindows. Again granite is used to great effect oncills, lintels and plinth walls.

Dartmouth Road

Cambridge Terrace

Number 5 Dartmouth Road is located within theArchitectural Conservation Area for DartmouthSquare. Number 5 is an imposing redbrick housewhich displays yellow brick detailing. Number 5(along with numbers 1-4) was constructed in the1880's in a similar style and scale to the nearbyhouses on Leeson Park. Number 5 is a protectedstructure.

Numbers 10 and 11 Cambridge Terrace fall withinthe Architectural Conservation Area for DartmouthSquare. These redbrick houses are also Victorian indate and link Northbrook Road to DartmouthSquare. They are both protected structures.



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Landscape character

3.2

Dartmouth Square Park is a traditional Victorianpark characterised by mature trees and areas ofgrass. Inside, the grassed area is sub-divided intotwo parts by a central walkway, hedging and apergola structure. A pedestrian path and hedgingalso cordons off the mature trees and shrubborders running around its perimeter from thegrassed area. These trees have receivedmaintenance over the years with lower branchesbeing removed to create clearance overpedestrian footpaths to create views in and out ofthe park. There are four pedestrian gates thatwould have provided access for the residents ofthe square. The Park is rectangular in shape andis enclosed by original low plinth wall withwrought-iron railings. It is surrounded on allsides by the Victorian residential terraces ofDartmouth Square that face onto it. The maturetrees on this square provide a high amenity valueto the leafy ambience and setting of Victorianresidential square.

Landscape Character

Landscape character

Landscape character



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Urban character

Although strongly urban in character, DartmouthSquare provides a surprising variety of tree species.These trees have grown up within linear tree beltsalong the perimeter railings, and, due to their close-knit growing environment, many are reliant on oneanother for support/shelter. The central garden areacomprises of a mixture of Lime, Sycamore, BlackWalnut and Turkey Oak trees, which together withhedges line the perimeter of the garden, enclosingthe central grassed area and reinforcing the gardenssymmetrical layout. Mature trees also line theadjacent public footpaths and complement theformal arrangement of trees within the centralgarden. This layout forms a key element in theappearance and streetscape of this architectural setpiece and the linear form of the mature vegetationcomplements the uniform residential terraces.

Urban character

The central garden area and the mature street treesalso provide an attractive aspect for the surroundingterraces and help give the square a relatively peacefulatmosphere in an area surrounded by heavilytrafficated routes, i.e. Lesson Street Upper, RanelaghRoad and Grand Parade. This enhances the sense ofenclosure provided by the cul de sac nature of thesquare on three sides. The central area retains itsprivate, enclosed character, created by dense belts ofmature trees, low plinth wall and wrought-ironrailings along all four sides of the boundary. Thesylvan character of Dartmouth Square gives the areaa secluded special character and a welcome peacefulfeeling of separation from the urban bustle.

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Landscape character

Dartmouth Square is also an integral component ofthe spatial structure of the urban parks and greenchains throughout the city. The square, although alocal park, is part of the urban forest whichencompasses all trees in and close to urban areas,including trees in streets, gardens, parks, smallwoodlands, cemeteries and other open spaces.

It is recognised in Section 11.1.0 of theDevelopment Plan 2005 – 2011 that open spaces,both private and public, provide for visual breaksand green chains throughout the city and provide asetting for natural vegetation and help to preservewildlife habitats. In recent years the benefits of parkswith mature trees, such as Dartmouth Square, inurban areas are becoming better understood andtheir benefits for healthy and sustainable cityenvironment appreciated. These trees andwoodlands are invaluable for a number of reasons;they provide wildlife habitats, screening, noisereduction, dust traps, storing of greenhouse gases,summer cooling, shelter, recreation and providecorridors to other wildlife areas. The square linkscity dwellers to the natural world and the changingrhythm of seasons. As for the natural environment,they add in a small but significant way to bio-diversity. Although rarely large enough to provide asubstantial habitat, many squares are a sanctuary forwild life and form links in the ecological chainbetween large parks, small open spaces and backgardens.



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In conclusion therefore, the landscaping andvegetation in this residential Victorian square formsan integral component of this architectural set-piece.The importance of Dartmouth Square's landscapecharacter is reflected in the form, layout and sense ofenclosure provided by the mature vegetation and itsrelationship with the unified architectural treatmentof the houses presenting a quiet and enclosedatmosphere. The mature trees within DartmouthSquare Park make a particularly significantcontribution to the setting and character of the areaand it is important that they are protected andmaintained.

The pavement in Dartmouth Square is largelycomposed of concrete although some sections ofgranite kerbstones still survive in places.Sections of original kerbstones are largely found atthe corners of the square.

Pavement3.3

3.4

3.5

Street Furniture

Summary Character Statement

An attractive Victorian cast-iron pillar post box islocated on the south side of the square and should beprotected. The lamp standards around the square are

late 20 century in date and are constructed ofconcrete.

The provision of furniture in central park area isminimal, consisting of several wooden benches,painted green with decorative wrought-ironarmrests, and modern litterbins.

This ACA is a quiet residential enclave justminutes from the city centre. It is locatedadjacent to the busy Grand Parade Road which runsalongside the Grand Canal and is not far fromLeeson Street Upper and Ranelagh Road. Theh o u s e s a r e l a i d o u t f o r m a l l y a r o u n dDartmouth Square and boast quality materialswhich are repeated throughout the square with itsuse of redbrick, granite and decorative cast andwrought-iron railings.

This square is significant it being the last square tobe constructed as a formal residential square inDublin.

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Granite kerbstones



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The square is characterised by its formalarchitecture and many mature trees, the form andfabric of the boundary plinths, railings and gates,and the Victorian terraces surrounding it. The houseslooking onto it and adjacent to it are all protectedstructures, and the formal space created by thesquare contributes positively to the architecturalgroup.

The character of the area is also defined by its naturalsetting. The mature trees and planting in the park,street and gardens contribute to the areas uniquesetting and provides and interesting and peacefultownscape.

The area due to its form and layout has a sense ofplace and separateness. Its parkland setting isalso special providing a peaceful oasis within thecity.

The unity and consistency in architecturaltreatment of the structures surrounding thesquare is a good example of Victorianarchitecture and has remained little altered overthe years. The quality of design is reflected intheir protected status.

The high standard of design and materials usedto the front boundaries to the houses.

Character and special interest(under Planning and DevelopmentAct 2000)

4.0

Architectural:

Architectural:

Architectural:

The sylvan quality and leafy canopy provided bythe general vegetation, planting and mature treeswithin the central enclosed square and on thesurrounding streets.

The Square is significant as one of the last in aseries of formal Georgian and Victorianresidential squares constructed in Dublin. Itforms part of the tradition of eighteenth- andnineteenth-century formal squares associatedwith residential architecture for which Dublin isrenowned.

·Pitched slate roofs with no parapets aregenerally the norm around the square exceptfor Cambridge Terrace. The roofs aregenerally double span and covered withBangor Blue slates.

·Cast iron rainwater goods

·Redbrick walls to the upper levels of housesfacing the square with granite rock-facedwalls to basement level. Rubble stonegranite walls also found to some rear andside boundary walls. Granite stone plinthssurmounted by cast-iron and wrought-ironrailings are found to all front gardens.

Building features which contribute to thecharacter

Materials

Architectural:

Historical:

Roofs:

Rainwater Goods:

Facades and boundary treatments:

5.0



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·Rock-faced granite walls, granite cills andlintels, granite plinth walls, redbrickcornices, stringcourses and panels. Number5 Dartmouth Road displays yellow brickdecorative detailing.

·There are a variety of openings found onDartmouth Square. The houses facing thesquare display segmental-headed andsquare-headed window openings. Number37-40b Dartmouth Square East, and, No. 5Dartmouth Road, display full height canted-bay windows. Most of the windows havebrick reveals. Timber sash single-pane andtwo-over-two timber sash windows is themost common window type with casementwindows found at No. 37-40b DartmouthSquare.

·Recessed doors are found all aroundDartmouth Square with the exception ofCambridge Terrace. Timber door frameswith sidelights and overlights are the normwith timber panelled (Dartmouth Square)and timber and glazed panelled doors (No37-40b Dartmouth Square East).

·The houses are two-storey over basement /semi basement with access approach toground floor by monumental steps.

Decorative details to facades:

Windows:

Porches and doors:

Built form:

6.0

7.0

Interventions which would detract fromthe character

Policies and Management of Area

a. Existing Protection – Dublin CityDevelopment Plan 2005 – 2011

· Removal of boundary walls including plinthwalls and railings

· Insertion of new drive ways

· Replacement of natural slate roofs withartificial slate.

· Removal of original features andreplacement with inappropriate modernreplacements such as windows, doors,rainwater goods, railings etc.

· Removal of trees

· Removal of park setting

Dartmouth Square Park itself is zoned Z9 'Topreserve, provide and improve recreationalamenity and open space'. Generally, the onlynew development allowed in these areas, otherthan the amenity / recreational uses themselvesare those associated with open space use.



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Dartmouth Square North, South and East arezoned Z2 'To protect and/or improve the amenitiesof residential conservation areas' in accordancewith the provisions of the Dublin CityDevelopment Plan 2005 - 2011. The generalobjective of the Z2 'Residential Conservation'zoning is to protect structures or group ofstructures from unsuitable new developments orworks that would have a negative impact on theamenity or architectural quality of the area'.

Dartmouth Square West is zoned Z1 'To protect,provide and improve residential amenities' inaccordance with the provisions of the Dublin CityDevelopment Plan 2005 - 2011. The generalobjectives for primarily residential areas are toprovide a measure of protection from unsuitablenew development or certain developments thatwould threaten or be incompatible within overallresidential function of the area.

All the buildings within Dartmouth Square, i.e.no.s 1 – 68 Dartmouth Square, no. 5 DartmouthRoad and 10 – 11 Cambridge Terrace are onDublin City Council's Record of ProtectedStructures.

The northern section of Dartmouth Square thatadjoins Grand Parade and the Grand Canal isdesignated a Conservation Area. ThisConservation Area includes 15 – 17 DartmouthSquare West, the rear gardens of 18 – 36Dartmouth Square North and 40 – 37 DartmouthSquare East.

As with most other formal squares, theboundary and the established trees associatedwith Dartmouth Square are not protected. Theboundary includes low plinth walls, wroughtiron railings and four pedestrian gates.

The purpose of an Architectural ConservationArea is to identify areas of special character andarchitectural interest and to manage change insuch a way as to preserve that special character.

The aim is to provide a framework that willpermit a degree of flexibility in terms of designconsistent with the maintenance andimprovement of the essential character of theACA. To fulfill this aim all new development inthe area of the ACA should be implemented andcarried out in accordance with the followingpolicies/objectives.

It is the overall policy of Dublin City Councilto protect and conserve the character andsetting of the ACA, as set out in thisdocument.

b. Policies for Architectural ConservationArea

Preserving the Character7.1



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Zoning map 2005-2011

It is recognized in this document that themature trees, both within Dartmouth SquarePark and on the public footpaths, are anintegral component of this Victorian residentialsquare and make a significant contribution tothe setting of this architectural set-piece. It istherefore recommended that the City Councilmake provision for Tree Preservation Orders,in accordance with Section 204 of the Planningand Development, Act, 2000, in order toprotect those mature trees, that are an integralcomponent to the character of the area andwhich would merit protection.

The central park area is to be maintained asan open space / garden occupied only by trees,shrubbery, paths and small structuresassociated with its open space garden use. T h eexisting railings, gates and plinth wall are tobe maintained

7.2

7.3

Tree Preservation Orders

Park Area

It is the policy of Dublin City Council toencourage the reinstatement of features wherethe original and historic features have been losto r r e p l a c e d . T o t h i s e n d t h ereinstatement works set out below will notrequire planning permission. To ensure that newfeatures are appropriately detailed such workswill normally require agreement with theConservation Section of t h e P l a n n i n gDepartment and an application for a Section 5Declaration can be made. Such works willinclude:

a) The replacement of later inappropriate windowswith timber sash windows where appropriate,and timber casement windows whereappropriate, to match the original samples whichsurvive in each terrace – all to have a paintedfinish.

b) The replacement of later inappropriate doorswith painted timber panelled doors to match theoriginal samples which survive in each terrace.

c) The replacement of later inappropriate roofcoverings with Bangor blue slates.

d) Re-pointing and brick cleaning, has the potentialto impact negatively on the character of thisuniform terrace of Dartmouth Square. Ownersshould seek advise of the Conservation Section,Dublin City Council, prior to the carrying out ofthese works.

7.4 Reinstatement



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The front garden/sites are in effect the publicface of the private domain and how these aretreated will ultimately determine the overallvisual characteristics of the area. In DartmouthSquare, which is not an area of parking stress, thevast majority of front gardens and their frontgarden boundary treatment, including low plinthwall and wrought-iron railings are intact. Thissignificantly enhances the setting of thisVictorian terrace and adds to the character of thisproposed architectural conservation area.

It is considered that, in the case of DartmouthSquare, car parking to the front gardens areasshould be discouraged, as it would significantlydetract from the visual amenity of thearchitectural conservation area.

Dublin City Council will endeavour to ensurethat works to the public domain, such as works ofenvironmental improvement, or of utilitiesimprovements, are of the highest standards anddo not detract from, nor add clutter to, thecharacter of the area.

a) Retention of historic kerb-stonesSurviving historic kerb-stones aroundDartmouth Square (largely found at the cornersof the square) shall be preserved and retained insitu. This shall complement Policy H22 of theDublin City Development Plan 2005 – 2011which sets out to preserve, repair and retainhistoric streetscape and paving.

b) Public LightingAny new public lighting, whether reproductionor contemporary design, should be designed tocomplement and enhance the architecturalcharacter of the area.

7.5

7.6

Front Sites

Public Domain

a) New electrical and other wiring should beunderground

b) Redundant and unused wiring should becarefully removed.

c) Satellite dishes and solar panels will notnormally be permitted on the front elevations,front slopes, front chimneystacks or above theridge line of buildings.

d) All external fixtures to buildings, e.g. alarmboxes, should be located so as to minimize theirvisual impact.

Domestic rear extensions, which are within thelimits set out in the Planning and DevelopmentRegulations, 2001, and which are not visiblefrom the public domain within the ACA wouldnot affect materially the character of theArchitectural Conservation Area andconsequently would be considered to beexempted development. This does not apply tostructures on the Record of ProtectedStructures.

Skyline Clutter

Domestic Extensions

7.7

7.8



ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA ( ACA ) · ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA ( ACA ) 1 Dartmouth Square 2 2.0 Historical Context Dartmouth Square was the last in the series of formal

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