Description

Circa 1700, major alterations (see Notes) James Shearer, 1950-53. 5-storey and attic 8-bay tenement with 3 curvilinear-gabled 2-window wallhead dormers to attic; bays grouped 1-3-3-1; flat-arched pend (Fisher's Close) to left. Ashlar; rubble to rear. Modern ashlar ground floor and sloping string course between ground and 1st floors; roll-moulded surround to door in 3rd bay from left, surmounted by broken pediment enclosing thistle, arms and motto (RAX ME THAT BUIK); decorative carved sign to Fisher's Close to left. Engaged octagonal stair rubble tower with ashlar dressings, long and short quoins and studded timber boarded door in roll-moulded surround to right in stone-flagged pend, giving access to 6-storey rear wing.

12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Tall brick end stack to right, ashlar to left.

Statement of Interest

Built for Thomas Fisher, merchant. Reconstructed (interior gutted, steel-framed replacement) by Shearer as Scottish Central Library for the Carnegie Trust and opened on 5th November 1953. Rear wing adjoins 3 Victoria Terrace, Baden Powell Hall, former Primitive Methodist Chapel (separately listed). The E side of Fisher's Close is formed by the S wing of Nos 306-310 Lawnmarket (separately listed), bounded to the E by Brodie's Close. The theme of curvilinear gabled wallhead dormers continues on the adjoining tenement block at Nos 322-328 Lawnmarket, and is picked up in the late 19th century corner block at Nos 332-340 Lawnmarket.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17575288

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

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)