Our Story

Bank Apartments started life as a branch of Belfast Bank, serving the bustling Victorian seaside resort of Portrush. The building was designed by acclaimed architect Vincent Craig and opened its doors in 1898. 

Vincent Craig was born in 1869 in Craigavon Northern Ireland and studied in Bath college before completing his architectural training in the office of William Henry Lynn. He set up his practice in 1891. Vincent was the architect responsible for a number of notable buildings including the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Crawfordsburn House and the acclaimed Belfast Bank buildings in Belfast, Lurgan and Portrush. 

The Portrush branch of the Belfast Bank opened in 1898 comprising of a secure safe room with thick brick walls and a heavy steel door and frame that have a combined weight of over two tons. The building also incorporated a home for the bank manager and his family with a pantry, kitchen, servant’s quarters, dining areas, a drawing room and impressively, indoor bathrooms. Originally the building had a balcony overlooking Portrush Main Street.

The building remained Belfast Bank until 1970 when it then became Northern Bank. Following this it became Danske Bank in 2005 before eventually closing in 2012. The building itself gained listed status in 1977 as a landmark of architectural historic interest. 

In 2017 our company founder, Lord Rana, saw the building and fell in love with it. Always one to see the potential in a neglected building, he set carefully restoring this listed building and giving it a new lease of life as the serviced apartments and café bar you see today.