house

Semi-detached two-bay two-storey house, built c. 1865, having single-storey porch attached to side elevation, and returns to rear (east). M-profile hipped roof, having rendered parapet with moulded render capping, yellow brick chimneystacks with clay pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Red brick walling, laid in Flemish bond, to front elevation, with cut granite plinth course and quoins, having inscribed marble plaques to front; yellow brick, laid in English garden wall bond, to side elevations. Round-headed recessed window opening to ground floor with one-over-one pane timber sliding sash window, and square-headed openings to first floor with two-over-two pane windows, all with granite sills; some timber panelled shutters visible to interior. Round-headed doorway to porch with rope-moulded render surrounds and keystones, masonry doorcase comprising Doric columns and stepped cornice, with plain fanlight and timber panelled door. Nosed granite steps having cast-iron bootscrape to platform and cast-iron handrails. Cast-iron railings to front boundary with spearhead finials, set on cut granite plinth walls having square-plan brick pier with granite capping and cornice to north end, with matching gates.

This house is enhanced by the granite quoins and decorative doorcase that articulate and enhance its facade. It forms an architectural focal point in the streetscape with its pair to the south, and is set apart from the neighbouring terraced houses. According to Casey (2005) Bloomfield Avenue was one of the earlier streets developed following the closure of Portobello Gardens in 1865. A strong Jewish community developed in Portobello in the early nineteenth century and this house was occupied by Isaac Herzog, and subsequently by Immanuel Jacobovits, who served as chief Rabbi of Ireland. Isaac's son, Chaim, went on to become President of Israel.