Ivan Street
Location: York Road area, North Belfast
Postcode: BT15
First Appeared: c. 1896
Theme: Individual name (origin unknown)
Status: Still exists (redeveloped)
Overview
Ivan Street is a short residential cul-de-sac located off York Road in North Belfast. It first appears in public records in February 1896, during a period of rapid late-Victorian housing development. Though the name “Ivan” does not match surrounding street-naming patterns, the street itself has played a consistent role in the working-class fabric of North Belfast, evolving through clearance and regeneration in the 20th century.
Origins and Naming
The name “Ivan” is not associated with any known historical figure, landowner, saint, or Scottish place-name — all of which are common naming themes in this part of Belfast. It remains an outlier among neighbouring streets that include Fife, Ayr, Bute, and Glasgow Streets (Scottish geographical names) and Ritchie Street, named after local landowner William B. Ritchie.
It is likely the name was chosen by the developer or builder — possibly as a popular personal name of the period — but its exact origin remains unknown.
Earliest Evidence
The earliest known reference to Ivan Street appears in the Belfast News-Letter on 21 February 1896, in a section detailing payments or contracts awarded. The entry reads:
“P. Johnston & Sons, Ltd., for building 56 houses, Ivan Street: £16 3s 8d”
This payment does not reflect the full cost of building the houses, which would have been far higher. Instead, the sum likely refers to a specific component of the construction — such as drainage, foundations, materials, or partial labour — possibly reimbursed by a public authority or listed in a ledger of progress payments.
This confirms that Ivan Street was under active construction in early 1896, and that P. Johnston & Sons Ltd., a building firm based at 12 Royal Avenue, was involved in the work.
Development Timeline
Architecture and Social History
Ivan Street was originally composed of two-storey red-brick terraces, typical of late-Victorian working-class housing in Belfast. Its residents were likely employed in nearby industries along York Road — including shipyards, foundries, and railway works.
By the 1970s and 80s, many of these homes had deteriorated, and Grove Housing Association led a phased regeneration process. Today, the street features a mix of modern social housing and community amenities, including a small garden and mural space developed through local initiatives.
Naming Patterns in the Area
Ivan Street is geographically and historically linked to a network of streets with Scottish-themed names, including:
Nearby Ritchie Street is named for William B. Ritchie, 19th-century owner of the Grove estate. Ivan Street, however, remains a naming anomaly, suggesting a personal or speculative choice rather than a patterned theme.
Sources and References