Bellevue, 54 Killowen Old Road, Rostrevor, Newry, Co Down, BT34 3AE

Bellevue is an evolved house of probably later 18th century origin, with a series of extensions and alterations that combine to create a picturesque and attractive composition set in an attractive landscape. Originally part of the Ballyedmond Estate, with clear evidence of early landscaping in the tree planting round about, the building has vernacular beginnings and may have originally faced north. However, each generation has left its mark, and it now presents itself as a picturesque, modestly sized country house with the principal elevation facing south.

The building is two storeys over three bays with a pitched natural slate roof. Three rendered chimneystacks rise from the main ridge, each topped with a yellow octagonal pot: one on each gable and the third traditionally placed on the main hearth wall between the first and second bay from the left. The central and right-hand stacks have three fire shafts each, while the left-hand stack has two, suggesting that the western bay was an early addition to the original structure. The front pitch is interrupted by three cross gables, one to each bay, each decorated with highly ornamental fretted bargeboards. The eaves and verges overhang and are boxed. Rainwater goods are half-round cast iron. The walls are cement rendered and painted.

The front entrance is positioned at right on the middle bay of the principal elevation. The door is an unusual pattern of two panels over one, all raised and fielded, and has been modified to overcome settlement. It is small in scale compared with the present windows, suggesting an early date of perhaps late 18th century origin. Above the door is a plain overlight consistent with that period. The area in front of the door is paved in granite and approached by two granite steps. The central bay is advanced and supported by two painted monolithic granite pillars with stop-end chamfered arrises, creating an open porch. At first floor is a paired casement window below the gable.

To the right of the entrance is a single-storey canted bay with old casement windows, possibly Edwardian in date. The roof of this bay is edged by a highly decorative cast iron gutter trim, crested along the top and with diaper and billet mould along the bottom. At first floor is a paired casement window under the cross gable. To the left of the entrance, forming part of the central bay, are two 1/1 sliding sash windows with exposed boxes and horns at ground floor. Above at first floor is a four-casement window that appears to be Edwardian. The left (western) bay mirrors the right (eastern) bay at both floors, including the single-storey canted bay window.

The left (west) gable has an overhanging plain verge. At ground floor are a 1/1 sliding sash and two French casement windows with plain overlights. At first floor is a paired casement. To the left of this gable is a two-storey return with natural slate roof and plain gable chimney. The roof of the bay is hipped at its intersection with the main roof. The walls are smooth rendered. At ground floor are two modern top-hung windows, and at first floor are two 1/1 sliding sash windows. A small single-storey storeroom is tucked into the junction of the return with the main building. Beyond the return, accessed through a wrought iron gate, is the service drive in stone macadam leading into the yard and also beyond the yard to the north side of the house.

The north elevation is wet dashed and features a small paned Yorkshire sash lighting the rear service passage, with all other windows and doors appearing to be relatively modern. An eastern return at single storey has a simple single chimneystack and wet dashed walls. The right (east) gable has an overhanging verge and plain bargeboards. At ground floor is a small top-hung modern casement to the rear. At first floor, towards the front is a paired casement and to the rear a fanlight single casement.

Historical records support the building's development over time. It is cited as 'Ballyneddan' on the 1834 Ordnance Survey 6-inch map and was described in the 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir as a plain two-storey house. In 1838 it was the residence of Captain Samuel McCall and was recorded as measuring 57 feet by 25 feet by 15 feet. These measurements broadly accord with the 1863 Valuation and present-day structure.