25 Belgrave Crescent, Edinburgh, Inverleith, Edinburgh

Description

John Chesser, 1878; some later additions to rear. Terrace comprising 3-storey, basement and attic 2-bay, Free Renaissance townhouses with prominent full-height canted bays; house to E corner (No. 22) slightly advanced; 4-bay return to Belgrave Place. Sandstone ashlar. Entrance platts oversailing basement area. Banded base course; moulded cill course at 2nd floor. Corniced consoled eaves course. Rectangular dormers with large triangular sandstone pediments, linked by balustrading (some missing). Advanced balustraded rectangular porches to Nos. 22-25. Corniced doorpieces with paired console brackets, moulded architraves, rectangular fanlights and narrow sidelights. Corniced and balustraded 3-storey, 3-light bays, rectangular at ground floor, canted at 1st and 2nd floors. Bracketed and pedimented 1st floor windows with moulded architraves; tripartite above porches. Moulded architraved 2nd floor windows with bracketed cills.

E (BELGRAVE PLACE) ELEVATION: 3 storeys, 4 bays with full height 3-light canted bay to right (N). Sandstone ashlar (painted at basement). Banded base course, moulded cill courses at 1st and 2nd floors. Corniced consoled eaves course; balustrade above integrated with 2 tall wallhead stacks; pedimented dormers to right (N). Roughly regular fenestration with blind windows to left (S). Moulded architraved windows at ground floor with bracketed cills (bi-partite to centre). Architraved bracketed and pedimented 1st floor windows with small window off-centre to middle bay. Similar arrangement at 2nd floor (no pediments).

N (REAR) ELEVATION: coursed squared rubble with some droved ashlar quoins, rybats, cills and lintels. Roughly regular fenestration with some paired windows at 1st and 2nd floors.

Plate glass in timber sash and case windows; some 20th century glazing at 2nd floor and attic. Corniced ashlar ridge and gable end stacks with octagonal clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods integrated with stonework. Cast-iron railings on ashlar coping stone edging basement area to street.

INTERIOR: classical interiors characterised by highly detailed plasterwork and grand entrance halls, some with intricate Corinthian pilasters. Large drawing rooms to front with bay windows; deep cornicing, principally with floreate and foliate patterns. Some large marble fireplaces. Ornate stairs, some with carved newel posts; topped by large glass cupolas with ornate decorative plasterwork. Large lifts to rear in entrance hall to No. 25.

Statement of Interest

A well detailed row of terraced late 19th century townhouses forming the conclusion to Belgrave Crescent. The design demonstrates a bold use of architectural features such as canted bays and extensive balustrading. The terrace is part of the continued development of the West End of Edinburgh in the later nineteenth century after the completion of the nearby Dean Bridge (see separate listing). The gardens opposite (S) were designed in 1876 as formal pleasure grounds for the residents similar to those found in London Squares during this period..

This terrace was built on land bought by property developer (and Lord Provost of Edinburgh) James Steel, and along with Eglington Crescent (see separate listing) was one of Steel's first exclusive housing developments, after previously developing lower status housing in Tollcross. His relationship with the Heritable Estates Company assured a steady income allowing him to speculate with more exclusive developments. To enhance the status of the development Steel secured the purchase of the ground between Belgrave Crescent and the Water of Leith, which became a private garden for the residents, designed by James Jeffery and completed in 1876. The terrace forms part of the long delayed residential expansion of the city in the late 19th century to the north of the Dean Bridge, following its completion in 1831-2. Unlike the earlier phases of the New Town the terraces of the Dean estate were exclusively of individual affluent family houses with lavish Victorian detailing. Changing social circumstances in the 20th century have led to a degree of alteration and adaptation.

25 Belgrave Terrace was a Salveson family house, and used as a nursing home. After it closed in 1967 the building became an annexe to Song School for St Mary's Cathedral (see separate listing), before being converted to residential use in the 1970s.

John Chesser began his career as a master of works on the Ravesby Estate in Lincolnshire, before replacing his father in the same post on the Dalmeny estate. By 1852 he was working for David Cousin in the office of the superintendant of works in Edinburgh, and through this office he may have secured his post as superintendant of works for Herriots Hospital. By the time he came to design Belgrave Crescent his Free Renaissance style was fully developed. Many of his terraces are characterised by the use of large bay windows, and particularly by the combination of rectangular and canted storeys.

List description revised as part of resurvey (2009).

External Links

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