Former Coastguard Station, 1-6 South Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0EX

This is a large two-storey granite-built former coastguard station of the 1880s–90s, situated on a rise to the west of South Promenade in Newcastle, overlooking the sea. The building originally provided accommodation for six coastguard officers and has been converted into six separate dwellings (numbered 1–6).

The structure is constructed of squared granite blocks with gabled bays to the north. The principal eastern façade, which faces out to sea, is built on a battered base and features five large segmental arch-headed windows to the ground and first floors (one for each of nos. 2–6), with paired windows to no. 1. These windows were substantially enlarged during recent renovations, during which the original brick dressings and granite cills were removed and replaced with steel segmental arched lintels and narrow concrete cills, fitted with modern four-pane timber windows.

No. 1 projects forward slightly at the eastern end and includes a distinctive two-storey flat-roofed section. The ground floor of this section forms an open porch, possibly a former lookout post, with a large semicircular arch opening supported on projecting granite corbels. The first floor contains a segmental arch-headed window opening. The stone balustrade is broken to allow a stair opening giving access to the front door. Within the porch are two chamfered and painted stones, each with a small round hole positioned at the top of the chamfer; the purpose of these stones is unknown, though similar examples were observed at the coastguard houses at Millisle.

The western façade, facing into the hillside, contains the main entrances to the cottages. Nos. 2–6 have had modern rendered lean-to bathroom and porch extensions added to this elevation, with modern three-pane windows and various casement and sash openings with brick dressings and flat or arched heads throughout. No. 1's rear projection is slightly different in detail but follows the same pattern, with a large window opening containing a multi-pane window.

The southern gable façade is largely blank except for one first-floor sash window with a segmental arched head and brick dressings. A small modern single-storey flat-roofed garage stands to the left of the gable.

The main roof is finished with Bangor Blue slate and has overhanging eaves. Nos. 2–6 share chimney brick stacks built along the ridge line with corbelled detailing. No. 6 has two stacks; the second is located at the junction of the flat roof and pitched roof, with a granite base and brick upper portion. The recent extensions are rendered and finished with artificial slate in some cases. Cast iron and PVC rainwater goods are present.

The building underwent extensive renovation in recent years, during which many window openings were enlarged. The extensions to nos. 2–6 merge together along the western elevation, creating a continuous line of additions.

To the rear of the gardens stands a line of garden sheds, originally the building's outside water closets.

The station was built in the 1880s–90s to replace a small coastguard house of c.1830, which still stands at the rear wall of the harbour. The station appears to have remained in use until the mid to late 20th century, possibly the 1970s. The dwellings are now privately owned.