Description

John Begg and/or Alexander Lorne Campbell, 1925-7 (alterations by Rowand Anderson, Kininmonth and Paul, 1953 - see Notes). 4-storey, 7 bay, former institutional building with Renaissance treatment with rusticated ground floor and dentiled cornice continuous with that of the earlier corner building at No 32 Chamber Street (see separate listing). Sandstone ashlar with raised and moulded dressings to 1st floor. Base course rising to ground floor cill level; projecting moulded and dentiled cornice at 2nd floor with frieze below and blocking course above. 3-bay pilastered entrance to centre with panel above inscribed 'The Edinburgh Dental Hospital And School'. Recessed panels above. Ionic end pilasters at 1st and 2nd floors with obelisk finials, as at No 32. Channelled dressings to windows at 3rd bay with sculptured armorial panel between 1st and 2nd floor; 3rd floor treated as attic with recessed, multi-paned, canted bays. Returns at E to 2-window gable with raised wallhead stack and further stack to right.

INTERIOR: extensively refurbished for use as commercial premises.

Predominantly multi-pane glazing to timber sash and case windows. Grey Scottish Slate. Coped ashlar skews and stacks. Clay cans. Recessed cast-iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Interest

Nos 30 and 31 Chambers Street groups well with its earlier neighbour at No 32 Chamber Street, borrowing various details and continuing its form and massing, though it is not by the same architect. The building is notable for its restrained detailing and verticality emphasised by the tall fenestration, particularly at 1st floor level. The unusual recessed canted windows at the 4th storey add further interest. The building occupies a prominent position at the W end of Chamber Street opposite the National Museum of Scotland. The mid 20th century alterations, including the pilastered doorpiece, add a further layer of historic interest.

The building was designed by Begg or Lorne Campbell whose partnership had come to an end three years prior to construction; it is unclear which partner was responsible. An original pedimented doorpiece at the 3rd bay was replaced by the renowned practice of Rowand Anderson, Kininmonth and Paul in 1953 as part of their alterations. These included an extension to the rear, now demolished following the construction of the adjacent new Sheriff Court. The multi-paned canted windows at 3rd floor were re-glazed in 1976. The current structure replaced an earlier dental hospital of 1894, possibly by Edinburgh Architect, Robert MacFarlane Cameron. Edinburgh Dental Dispensary was originally opened in 1860 at No1 Drummond Street, subsequently moving to Cockburn Street. It moved to the site in Chambers Street in 1894.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17811784

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback