Gateshead, Durham Road, Whinney House Hospital

Grand Italianate villa of ashlar, narrowly coursed and with
rusticated quoins, roll moulded plinth and eaves entablature. Deep paired brackets
below low pitched hipped slate roof. Two storeys in main block and in slightly
later south extensions - of similar materials but plainer. on garden front, projects
a four-storey tower with thick rusticated quoins, first floor entablature, deep
bracketed eaves and pyramidal roof with lead pinnacle. Three wide bays on this
front with a narrow link to tower, and extensions beyond. Much rounded rustication.
Five bays on entrance front with a large central prostyle porch with paired columns,
balustraded balcony above. Windows mostly modernised but in original openings,
some classical architraves, some roll moulded reveals. Built as residence for
Edward Joicey, coal owner. Modern fire escape and south-west extensions {1}. Whinney house was built in 1867 and extended in the 1870s. It belonged to Edward Joicey, a member of a prominent local family. The house ceased to be a private residence early in the 20th century and has been used as a hospital, as offices and as a school for Torah studies. Whinney House was the grandest of a group of large houses. The building was significantly altered when the conservatory was made part of the hospital. Elsewhere there are few major changes, but most historic internal features have been swept away and many of the main rooms have been insensitively subdivided. No fireplaces remain. The gardens are also generally intact but have suffered from long-term neglect, particularly of the trees. Used as a Voluntary Aided Hospital during World War I. LISTED GRADE 2