Guincho, 69 Craigdarragh Road, Helens Bay, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1UB

Guincho is an asymmetrical two-storey, multi-bay Hacienda-style dwelling built around 1940, located approximately one mile south-east of Helens Bay between Craigdarragh Road and the Belfast to Bangor railway line. The house features an oblong plan with several abutments to the sides and rear.

The principal south-east elevation is asymmetrically arranged with openings of various sizes and styles. The front entrance, positioned left of centre, consists of an original arched timber door with relief arched panels set within a voussoired stepped granite ashlar surround and brass ironmongery. Above this is a bi-partite window. To the left stands a bi-partite window with French doors and balconette over. Four single windows occupy the centre-right section, followed by a wide opening at the far right. A tall arched window at first floor on the right features a bellied balconette, with three matching French doors and balconettes to the far right at first floor.

The south-west elevation is largely abutted at ground floor by a modern single-storey canted and hipped timber conservatory to the right, with a bi-partite window over. Adjoining pergolas extend to the south-west and north-west faces. A bi-partite window sits to the left with a large quadri-partite window above.

The rear north-west elevation is asymmetrically arranged and largely modified with enlarged openings at ground floor. These comprise sliding doors with French doors and balconette; French doors and sidelights with quadri-partite window above; bi-partite windows to each floor; and further French doors to each floor at the far right, the upper example featuring a balconette.

The north-east elevation is abutted by a modern complex of single-storey pitched roof ancillary accommodation and garages with a flat roof abutment projecting north-westward. The exposed section contains a single window on each floor to the far left, a single window to first floor far right, and single narrow and bi-partite windows with continuous cill centrally to first floor over the pitched abutment.

Roofing comprises replacement shallow hipped pan-tiles. Two smooth rendered chimneys with replacement pots sit on the rear roof slope. A parapet eaves cornice with decorative lead flashing runs around the building, with concealed gutters and extruded metal box section downpipes. The walling is roughcast cement rendered. All windows are replacement uPVC throughout. Rainwater goods comprise extruded metal.

The site features a mature tree screen along the road-side boundary and a short curving gravel approach flanked by well-maintained gardens and vegetation. The grounds extend beyond the house to the north and west, comprising several landscaped gardens, outbuildings and a tennis court.

The house was built by Alan Craig, head of the electrical and mechanical engineering firm Greenhill & Craig Ltd, on the site of an earlier mansion known as Riversley. According to architectural historian C.E.B. Brett, Guincho was possibly the first Hispanic-style house in Northern Ireland. It is understood that Craig may have had his own firm design the building, though the engineering practice Tulloch & Fitzsimons, which designed other projects for Greenhill & Craig between 1922 and 1931, may also have been involved. The house was built by Alan and Ida Craig to celebrate their honeymoon at Praia do Guincho in Portugal, with the name meaning 'seagull'. Ida Craig was credited with the original layout of the notable gardens, later described by the Ulster Gardens Scheme as 'one of the greatest gardens in Northern Ireland'. Following Alan Craig's death, his widow married Melville McClure, owner of Morton's Red Heart Bottled Stout. From 1948 until 1956, the house was owned by T Frazer Mackie, Chairman of James Mackie and Sons Ltd, the Belfast textile machinery firm. His wife, Vera Mackie, continued to live in the house until 1979 and was responsible for developing the gardens with numerous species planted.

The building has undergone significant alterations since the 1980s. Features such as blue-and-white tile insets in the front wall, corner curlicues and tall chimney-stacks with tiled brims have been removed. Window openings have been rearranged and the upstairs windows at the end of each façade have been deepened. Steel balconies are a post-1987 addition. Major recent restoration and repair work has compromised much of the building's original character, and as a result it does not meet the statutory and policy tests as a building of special architectural or historic interest.