Houghton Le Spring Area Offices of Sunderland District Council

The Houghton-le-Spring Area Offices of Sunderland District Council, formerly known as The Old Rectory, is a Grade II* listed building located on the west side of Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring. This structure dates back to the early 17th century and underwent alterations in the 18th century, with a date of 1794 noted on the rainwater head at the back. Additional changes occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The building features a two-storey, six-bay south front designed in the Tudor style. Some of the windows are three-light stone-mullioned with label moulds. The fifth bay has a canted projection that contains three sash windows with glazing bars. The third bay includes a flattened Tudor arch that frames a modern door set within a stop-chamfered surround, flanked by slender pilasters that support a raised panel. At the rear, there is a massive stone chimney stack with five set-backs. The east elevation was rebuilt around 1950, and a crenellated parapet conceals the roof.

Inside, there is a closed-string well staircase featuring seven fat turned balusters across five treads. The half balusters meet square, panelled newel posts topped with low pyramidal caps, and there is a high moulded handrail.