The Bank Buildings was built in 1900 by W H Lynn. It is still one of Belfast's finest late Victorian edifices, constructed with such materials as red sandstone, polished granite floors and pilasters. The front faces Castle Place; and its name refers to Cunningham's Bank, 1767, which stood on this site.
A former palace of the Lord Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore stood on this site too; and a branch of the Northern Bank later. Three buildings are known to have occupied this prime location in Belfast.
Moving on to Callender Street: the building where Alden's in the City now stands was once a tobacco factory! Murray's tobacco factory was here in 1888 and it was connected to 21 Arthur Street.
Last published on December 4th, 2008.
Never knew that Murrays had once been in Callendar St. My father worked for Murray's when it was on Sandy Row. Believe it has was a linen mill before Murrays moved in.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think they must have been at Callender St prior to expansion in Sandy Row.
ReplyDeleteThere must have been quite a heady aroma of tobacco for passers-by!