Description

Probably Robert Brown, 1824-5. Extensive 3-storey and basement, plain classical commercial terrace with earlier 19th century shop premises ground floor. Sandstone ashlar, droved to basement and smooth to 1st and 2nd floors. Entrance platts oversailing basement. Band course between ground and 1st floor. Corniced eaves course. Some blind windows, irregularly spaced. Painted shop fascias. The south (rear) elevation is roughly squared rubble with droved ashlar dressings and irregular fenestration.

Large plate glass and fixed 12-pane timber windows to earlier 19th century shop fronts. 12-pane timber sash and case windows at 1st and 2nd floors and to rear. Corniced ashlar gable end and ridge chimney stacks with modern clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Cast-iron railings with fleur-de-lys finials to basement recess.

Statement of Interest

Part of an important planned grouping of late Georgian shops and tenements. The earlier 19th century shop front configuration is largely retained. William Street was planned as a service street, similar to Rose Street in the first New Town. These streets provided accommodation for artisans and tradesmen. It was essential to have services close to high quality housing before larger more comprehensive shops were developed. This necessity can also be seen in John Nash's designs for Regents Terrace in London.

William Street is at the centre of land owned by Patrick Walker after being bought for him by his father William Walker. It was developed to a plan drawn up by Robert Brown in 1813 as part of a wider scheme for the development of the Walker Estate. The cohesive planning of the Walker estate is amongst the best examples of his work. By the time Robert Brown was involved with the Walker Estate he had already designed several other urban schemes including, between 1810 and 1830, the laying out of streets in Portobello on land belonging to the Marquess of Abercorn. Other notable works include Newington and St. Leonard's church (now The Queen's Hall) and the rearrangement of the interiors for Yester House on behalf of the Marquess of Tweeddale. He also worked on a number of smaller projects in the New Town, and was especially competent in the design of corner pavilions and parades of shops as seen in his work at North West Circus Place (see separate listing).

List description revised in 2009. Statutory address changed to '28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 William Street, Edinburgh' in 2018. Previously listed as '28, 30, 32, 24, 36, 38 William Street'.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17810412

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

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)