Northern Bank, 8 Comber Road, Balloo, Killinchy, Co Down, BT23 6PA

The Northern Bank building is a two-storey bank, with a former manager’s house, constructed around 1938. It occupies the west side of Comber Road, within the hamlet of Balloo, close to Killinchy. The building is an example of the ‘suburban Queen Anne corporate style’ popular amongst financial institutions of the period.

The front, or eastern, facade is brick-faced with a hipped roof and an imposing entrance surround constructed of a composite stone resembling Portland stone. The entrance is centrally positioned and features a projecting surround with a steeply pitched roof and an internally illuminated bank sign attached to the left. A panelled door is topped by a plain fanlight, approached by two shallow steps. To the left of the entrance is a large window with a flush, chamfered cill, now fitted with a PVC mullioned and transomed frame. Two similar windows are situated to the right of the entrance. Above these windows are projecting PVC letters spelling out the bank's name. To the right is an ATM with a PVC awning. The first floor features five windows, smaller than those on the ground floor, with the central window being larger than the others. The south facade has two ground floor and two first floor windows, similar to the front. A projecting chimney breast rises centrally, breaking through the gutter line into a tall chimney stack. This facade connects with a two-storey rear lean-to section, which has windows on both floors. A large, single-storey extension, built around 1990, is attached to the north facade, featuring a hipped roof and three windows matching the style of the original building, and constructed of closely matching brick.

The main roof is hipped and covered with Bangor blue slates, with two tall brick chimney stacks featuring stone coping and dressings. Original metal ogee guttering is present, along with square downspouts and hoppers. The bank replaced earlier premises from when the branch opened in 1919. It is suggested that the building may have been designed by R.M. Close. The rear facade was not accessible for inspection.