Dating from 1637, this tower house and attached three story building overlooking Bangor Harbour is the earliest building to survive in Bangor from its layout as a modern town following its granting to James Hamilton by James I in 1605. The white rendered modern looking visitor centre is part of the original construction which is reported to have had a second tower abutting the far gable. These 'flankers' would probably have had conical roofs in the Scottish style, similar to the 'White House' in Newtonabbey (https://www.marksoftime.com/the-plantation.html) The unrendered gable wall behind the tower has a 'crow stepped' finish at the top, an early example of the Scottish Baronial style. Apparently the building may never have been fully completed or used as a customs house (the mid seventeenth century wars may have got in the way). It was in ruins in 1744. Then it was converted into dwelling houses. Used by the coastguard, the battlements may have been added during the Napoleonic period when Martello towers were being constructed elsewhere. It was a photographic studio in the late nineteen century and sold to the town council in 1923. They converted it to hot sea water baths. These closed in 1954. It was then used for an antiques business until being converted into the tourist information centre in 1982. A very unusual and rare survivor.
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