“The Watson”

Another gem of Belfast’s architectural heritage, this Grade B1 listed, triangular building (known locally as ‘the smoothing iron’) in Little Donegal Street, Belfast, was once the premises of Robert Watson’s furniture manufacturing company, suppliers of beds to the Royal family, and whose beds were installed in many luxury liners built in Harland and Wolff, the Belfast shipyard, including the Titanic.  The building was designed by William J Fennel and built between 1898 and 1907, originally known as ‘Library House.’

One website describes the building, “Externally, architectural detailing includes a round turret and castellated parapet on the rear elevation, contributing to a striking silhouette. The structure spans multiple storeys, likely three or more, reflecting its historical function as both a showroom (ground floor) and production facility (upper levels)—a configuration that accommodated both display and industrial needs.”

Read more at https://www.planbelfast.com/project/the-watson

The furniture factory closed in the late 1960s and the premises are now a lively down-town pub and entertainment venue, with one area named ‘The Watson’ and another as ‘The Library’ in honour of the past.

Photographed with the Fujifilm X-T50, F=23mm, f/8 @ 1/125th sec on ISO200, using Fuji’s ‘Reala Ace’ film simulation, for natural and realistic colour rendition.