Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB03/18/004

Address :
Halifax Bank 24 The Diamond Coleraine Co. Londonderry BT52 1HL

Townland:
Coleraine & suburbs

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
22/06/1977 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Bank - Terrace

Former Use
Bank - Terrace

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
Yes

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
13-13NW3

IG Ref:
C8478 3243

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Owner Category

Financial

Exterior Description And Setting

A terraced, largely symmetrical three-storey Italianate bank building, constructed c.1860. Four-openings wide, rectangular on plan with the principal elevation faced in a combination of ashlar sandstone to the ground floor and red-brick to the upper storeys. A series of substantial flat-roofed returns abut to the north elevation, dating from the later 20th century (of no interest). Pitched slate roof with large areas of replacement slates to rear; parapet across southern elevation, which extends northward, having stone coping; grey angled ridge-tiles. Projecting modillioned sandstone cornice to parapetted-eaves of south elevation; replacement metal ogee rainwater goods to rear only. Walling is ashlar sandstone to ground floor and Flemish bonded brick to upper floors (unless otherwise stated); dressings are also in sandstone with a number of moulded sill and string courses extending across the south elevation. Moulded round-headed windows on ground floor with projecting keystones; squared and segmental-headed openings to the first and second floors respectively, with raised stone architraves and projecting sills supported by profiled brackets. All windows are 1/1 timber sashes with horns, unless otherwise stated. Round-headed main entrance located to left-side of south elevation, having a plain glass fanlight in timber frame over six-panelled timber door with brass furniture, accessed via contemporary rendered steps with tubular steel handrails affixed. Principal elevation faces south and comprises four openings on each level; keystones to segmental-headed windows on upper floor, plain entablature to first floor and balustraded stone balcony to centre of first floor. Replacement, metal frame windows to ground floor and opening to far right has been partially in-filled and modified to provide access to ATM. West elevation is smooth rendered and unpainted; blank and abutted by neighbouring building. North elevation is rendered as west (above), left-side contains uPVC windows with projecting and rendered sills; mirrored windows to centre are original timber sashes with glazing bars intact. Right-side abutted by small lean-to return having uPVC window to left and right cheeks; north elevation abutted by flat-roofed modern addition which extends to the north and east. Entire ground floor is abutted by flat-roofed extension. East elevation is as the west except for some exposed brick-work. Setting Situated within an urban
setting in the core of Coleraine town, the building faces south and fronts directly onto the main public square known as The Diamond. Access to the rear is via steps and two metal sheeted, timber doors leading into the rear extensions. A rubblestone wall bounds the alleyway to the west while neighbouring buildings abut to the east. The building is in close proximity to a number of historic structures within the Diamond including the Town Hall (HB03/18/001), the Orr Memorial (HB03/18/002) and No.14 (HB03/18/004). Roof Slate RWG Replacement metal Walling Stone & brick Windows Timber sash/ metal frame replacement

Architects

Historical Information

The current bank premises was constructed c1860, replacing an earlier banking house on the site. The Northern Banking Company Ltd, which was established in 1824, first opened a branch in Coleraine in 1835 run by their agent Thomas Black and later valuation records suggest that the building had been purchased for £1,260 (Hill). This early bank building is shown on the first edition OS map of 1830 and is likely to have been a domestic dwelling that was taken over for the purpose. The house is listed in the Townland Valuation (1828-40) as the residence of Thomas Black and dimensions are given for a structure valued at £37.9s.6d and 27 feet high with a return and outbuildings including a crop store, piggery, stables, a store for vitriol and a wine vault. At the time of Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) reconstruction was taking place for James Macauley the manager of the bank and the building was valued at £60. Dimensions are given for the three-storey banking house with two returns and a two-storey outbuilding. The building provided accommodation for the manager who lived on the premises and is listed in the 1901 census as George Wilson who lived in the nine-room, first class bank with his Indian-born wife and 12-year-old son. The family kept a general domestic servant. In 1924 the valuation was almost doubled to £110 when the bank offices were enlarged and improved at a cost of £1,602. No changes were made to the front elevation, however (Valuation records). Valuer’s notes of the 1930s record the accommodation as a cash office, manager’s office, strong room, hall, kitchen and scullery on the ground floor; three receptions, a bathroom and WC, a bedroom and boxroom on the first floor and four bedrooms on the second floor. However by 1953 the upper floors were let out as offices to the Ministry of Agriculture (Valuation records). In 1970 the Northern Banking Company Limited merged with the Belfast Banking Company Limited to form Northern Bank Limited. The company was acquired by Danish-based Danske Bank Group in 2005 (www.northernbank.co.uk). The present building was listed in 1977 and by 1979 was occupied by the Halifax who made internal alterations, cleaned and repaired the façade and replaced the windows. Since the first survey photograph was taken in the 1970s some changes have occurred to the building including the replacement of windows which were bomb damaged in 1992, introduction of branding and signage, the cutting away of the plinth in order to introduce a cash machine and the introduction of handrails at the entrance. The building continues to provide financial services with the upper floor let out as offices. References: Primary Sources 1. PRONI OS/6/5/7/1 First Edition OS Map 1830 2. PRONI OS/6/5/7/2 Second Edition OS map 1849-50 3. PRONI OS/6/5/7/3 Third Edition OS Map 1904 4. PRONI OS/6/5/7/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1923 5. PRONI OS/6/5/7/5 Fifth Edition OS Map 1949 6. PRONI VAL/1/B/542A-D Townland Valuation (1828-40) 7. PRONI VAL/2/B/5/3/B Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) 8. PRONI VAL/12/B/30/9A-N Annual Revisions (1864-1929) 9. PRONI VAL/3/C/6/4 First General Revaluation 1933-57 10. PRONI VAL/3/D/6/2/A/6 First General Revaluation 1933-57 11. HB file – 03/18/004 Secondary Sources 1. Girvan, W D “Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in Coleraine and Portstewart” Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1971-2 2. Hill, E D “The northern banking company limited” M’caw, Stevenson & Orr, 1925 3. www.northernbank.co.uk

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form H-. Alterations detracting from building I. Quality and survival of Interior J. Setting

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest R. Age S. Authenticity T. Historic Importance

Evaluation

A three-storey Victorian Italianate palazzo-style bank executed in a combination of red-brick and sandstone, c.1860. Enriched with restrained classical detailing, giving a strong sense of order to the elevation. The building is an important component of the north side of The Diamond, juxtaposed by the large modernist concrete building which bounds the north –west corner of the square. Combined with the other historic buildings located within the square, The Town Hall (HB03/18/001), 1-2 The Diamond (HB03/18/009), 14 the Diamond (HB03/18/003); this building is an important element in the Diamond and contributes to the historic character of Coleraine town centre.

General Comments

Listing Criteria R - Age; S - Authenticity and T - Historic Importance also apply.

Date of Survey

23 January 2013