Beech Bank

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large-ish two storey house which appears to be of c.1870-80, but which may be a remodelling of a much earlier building. The house is attractively sited on a rise N of the Thornyhill Road roughly half a mile W of Killinchy.
Front SE facade is symmetrical. In the centre of the ground floor is a (roughly) elliptical arch recess with moulded archivolt with keystone and thin column-like pilaster jambs (with large decorative ‘Egyptian lotus-like’ capitals). This recess contains a panelled door with ‘elliptical’ arch fanlight with tracery and fluted pilaster jambs on each side of two pane sidelights, with semicircular arch head to upper panes.

To the left of the entrance is a sash window with horizontal glazing bars (as all sash windows in this house have) and a moulded keystone. To the right of the entrance is a similar window, with three more to the first floor but with shallow segmental arch heads.
The NE gable has a window to the right on the first floor (as first floor front) and one to the right on the ground floor (as first floor front). This gable merges with a large two storey flat roofed section which covers the whole of the rear. The NE facade of this section has a first floor window as gable.

The SW gable has a window to the ground and first floor left (as other gable). Attached partly the left hand edge of the first floor of this gable, but mainly to the ground floor of the SW facade of the rear flat roofed section is a flat ‘porch’ section with a panelled door, fanlight and sidelights to the SE. To the SW this ‘porch’ is attached to a small gabled outbuilding. The first floor of the SW facade of the flat roofed rear section has a window, as first floor main house.

The rear facade has a series of sash windows which vary in size and are irregularly positioned. To the ground floor left is a double sash window, then (progressing rightwards) and partly glazed door, then two narrow windows, with another similar window to the rear of the ‘porch’ at the far right. To the first floor are four windows of varying size, with that to the far right set at a slightly lower level (the roof level is also slightly lower at this end and the facade is recessed). Set at a stairwell level to the right of centre is a large double sash window. At the pre-listing inspection (21.03.2005) it was noted that a large conservatory had been added to the rear. The conservatory does not detratct from the buildings character.

The entire facade is finished in lined render and painted. Chamfered quoins to front facade/gables. Plinth to main house. Eaves course to front.

The roof of the main house is gabled with an overhang to the verge with decorative barge boards. Bangor blue slates. Two yellow brick chimney stacks (to gables). The rear section has a flat roof hidden behind a parapet, with a tall rendered chimney stack to the NE side.

Historical information

A house is shown on this site on the OS maps of 1834 and 1859-60. The present building, however, appears late Victorian, perhaps c.1870-80. The current owner feels that the right hand side of the flat roofed extension (which is recessed) may have been added well into the twentieth century.
The valuation records of c.1835 and 1861 note that the building on the site, on both occasions, in possession of a James Watson.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS maps 1st ed. 1834, Co. Down 17.
2 PRONI VAL 1B/335 p.15 (167) 1st valuation, Killinchy parish, Balloo td., c.1835.
3 PRONI OS maps 1st rev. 1859-60, Co. Down 17.
4 PRONI 2nd valuation, Killinchy parish, Balloo td., 1861.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Large, well maintained two storey gabled house which despite a large flat roofed section to the rear, retains its special character. With its decorative entrance, segmental arch windows and barge boards, this house appears to be late Victorian, but could be a substantial remodelling and extending of an earlier dwelling.