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The Arts Council

Presbyterian Assembly Buildings, Belfast

Architect: Robert Young
Interior Access


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The architect Robert Young received this commission after he organised a competition with a completely unrealistic budget. Naturally none of his competitiors could comply with it, so he was awarded the commission. The finished building is foreboding and dominated by the corner tower, various turrets, gables and pinacles. Young's building exceeded the original competition budget by some way - double.


click to enlarge

Originally there was a fine interior including a magnificent top lit, double apsed, double tiered assembly hall. The building has recently been converted into a small shopping mall and commercial offices.

An original drawing of one of the entries by William Alphonsus Scott (1871-1921) & Thomas Joseph Byrne (1876-1939) can be see here on the website of the Irish Architectural Archive.