Description

Leslie Grahame Thomson and Frank J Connell, 1938-40. Massive 5-storey L-plan Art Deco office block on corner site; entrance at splayed corner. Polished black granite at ground; contrasting smooth pale grey granite to upper floors. Doorway with 2-leaf storm doors with relief carved panels, fanlight above contains company crest; whole flanked by fluted pale grey granite columns supporting (at 1st floor) maternal and paternal bronze figures by Alexander Carrick; full-height oriel above, supported by keystone bracket; flanked by vertical flag poles at upper floors. Similar 5-bay elevations to George Street and St Andrew Square: depressed arched arcaded windows at ground; punched windows to upper floors becoming progressively shorter; bronze balconies and lamp brackets at 1st floor. Attic set back behind black granite cornice/parapet. St Andrew Square elevation with further narrow outer bay with door at ground and vertical glazing strip for stair well above. George Street return with projecting half-gabled stack.

Original horizontal multi-pane metal glazing throughout. Piend and platform tiled roof; grey slates.

INTERIOR: of exceptional period detail and integrity. Entrance planned on diagonal axis; public area with reeded marble columns, and flanking counters leads to Imperial staircase in central core with stained glass designed by William Wilson, repeating to 5th floor; original bronze and glass lamps. At ground, offices extend to rear of stair into igloo like space with saucer dome pierced by glass eyes. 1st floor with marble landing; Boardroom with apsidal ends and marble columns, compartmentalised teak? ceiling and walnut panelled doors; similar Manager's and Committee rooms; marble fireplaces with original electric fires, furniture and lights to these, and associated, rooms. Remaining floors essentially open plan wrapping aroung central landing; marble columns at 2nd floor; polished timber fittings up to 4th floor.

Statement of Interest

Built for the Caledonian Insurance Company. The bronze figures were cast by the Henshaws. The original perspective shows a single garland in the frieze above each bay.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17568094

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

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  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
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