bank/financial institution

Detached four-bay two-storey former bank, built c. 1880, having double-pile three-bay two-storey wing to side (north-east). Recent extension to side (north-west) of wing. Hipped slate roof with decorative ceramic ridge tiles, rendered chimneystacks, tooled limestone eaves course and cast-iron rainwater goods. Pitched slate double-pile roof to wing with timber bargeboards, tooled limestone eaves course and cast-iron rainwater. Flemish bond red brick walls throughout having tooled limestone plinth incorporating sill course to central block, projecting red brick chimney flues to side (north-east, south-west) elevations. Moulded red brick stringcourse and courses of over-sailing red brick below eaves level. Tooled limestone sill course to first-floor of front (south-east) elevation. Rendered plinth to wing. Camber-headed window openings with moulded red brick reveals and voussoirs to ground floor of front elevation having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings with moulded red brick reveals and voussoirs to first floor having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings with tooled limestone sills to wing, having rubbed red brick voussoirs and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Recent single-pane display windows with recent tooled limestone sills and raised render reveals to side (north-east) elevation of wing. Camber-headed window opening with tooled limestone sill to side (north-east) elevation of main block, having four-pane timber casement window. Round-headed door opening with stepped moulded red brick surround to front elevation, having moulded red brick voussoirs. Surmounted by moulded red brick camber-headed open bedded pediment on moulded red brick consoles. Timber panelled door surmounted by single-pane fanlight having tooled limestone stepped approach. Square-headed door openings to wing, having render reveal, rubbed red brick voussoirs and glazed timber door surmounted by single-pane overlight to front elevation. Recent render lintel and surround to side elevation with glazed timber door and tooled limestone step. Tooled limestone plinth to front and side (north-east) surmounted by decorative cast-iron railings with square-profile tooled limestone piers with plinth, chamfered corners and capping supporting double-leaf cast-iron gates. Single-storey dressed rubble stone outbuilding within yard to west having pitched corrugated-iron roof, cast-iron rainwater goods. Tooled stone quoins to walls. Camber-headed door openings with rubbed red brick voussoirs and later timber lintel. Recent concrete enclosing walls to north-west having tooled limestone gate piers surmounted by tooled limestone capping and recent double-leaf wrought-iron gates.

Prominently sited within the centre of Newcastle West, the red brick fabric of this fine building distinguishes it from its neighbours adding variety to the surrounding streetscape. Similar to many financial buildings, the architecture is of an impressive form with high quality materials utilised throughout the construction, best exemplified here by its tooled limestone plinths and sills. The retention of numerous historic features such as cast-iron rainwater goods, timber sash windows and a fine slate roof are also of interest and help to maintain the historic character of this impressive building.