Description

William Hamilton Beattie and Andrew R Scott centre and north sections, 1898-99; Arthur George Sydney Mitchell and George Wilson south section, 1898. Long Scots Renaissance block extending around corner to Jeffrey Street; sub-structure, mainly 4-storey and attic; semi-symmetrical treatment with modern shopfronts at ground. Treated as 4 blocks; architectural details repeated throughout: 1st floor canted oriels; broken segmental pediments; 2nd floor recessed keyblocked arched windows; 3rd floor regular single windows; triangular-pedimented dormerheads containing broken segmental pediments; copper ogee-roofed turrets with finials. Polished coursed cream sandstone ashlar; cill and string courses. Carved thistles, roses, shamrocks, fleur de lis and Renaissance strapwork decoration.

W (NORTH BRIDGE) ELEVATION: symmetrical 8-bay S block (Mitchell & Wilson): central entablatured entrance with broken segmental-arched pediment containing carved monogram and putto; central 2-bay wallhead gable with triangular open, broken pediment, central niche and corniced gable stack; flanking paired1st floor oriels with arched windows above; corbelled crenellated parapet and turret rising from 3rd floor outer left. Central symmetrical 13-bay block (Beattie & Scott): central 3-bay section with single window and flanking stone mullioned and transomed oriels; arched windows above; flanking turrets rising from 2nd floor; central heavily ornamented triangular bay rising above attic level with central niche and flanking windows. Smaller symmetrical 5-bay section towards N (Beattie & Scott): central 1st floor oriels with recessed bay above and corniced gable stack; flanking dormers and smaller timber dormers higher on roof; turret rising from 2nd floor. N corner block (Beattie & Scott): 4 bays to North Bridge; outer bay with 1st floor oriels; 3rd floor single windows triangular-pedimented; turret to outer left (corner).

N (JEFFREY STREET) ELEVATION: asymmetrical 8-storey and attic 4-bay corner gable block; symmetrical 4-bay gable section extending E. Canted section joins 2 gables; curved part-cantilevered 4th floor bay (ground floor at North Bridge level). Keyblocked carriage arch to Carrubber's Close at outer left with oculus above; paired 4th floor canted oriels to E gable; central triangular pedimented gable stacks between engaged turrets to each gable.

E (REAR) ELEVATIONS: symmetrical S block; central projecting square stairwell with pyramidal roof and gable stack. Advanced central section with series of advancing bays and later brick stairwell to N. Block to N: crenellated ocagonal tower with dormer in polygonal pointed roof and decorative iron brattishing. Red bull-faced sandstone with cream ashlar margins; coursed cream ashlar to N.

Timber sash and case plate glass windows; timber casements within arches, upper sections small-pane glazing. Modern plate glass to shops. Grey slate roofs; slated dormer cheeks. Coped stacks; lost cans. Decorative cast iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: modern refurbished interior.

Statement of Interest

A-group with 137-141 High Street and 31 North Bridge, Royal Bank Building; 25-52 North Bridge, including Scotsman Hotel, Scotsman Steps, Royal Mile Mansions; 175 and 177 High Street; and 65-71 Cockburn Street (see separate listings). The North Bridge was widened in 1894-7 (the bridge was designed by Cunningham, Blyth & Westland) as part of the overall plan to improve rail access to the city. The scheme for the North Bridge buildings generally follows the lines laid down in a competition won by John Nichol Scott and James Anderson Williamson in 1896, but departed from by the executant architects. The mediaeval closes Halkerston's Wynd and Kinloch's Close were demolished to make way for the development on the east side. Carrubber's Close remains, enclosing the rear of the blocks. This block and the Scotsman Building on the west side, by James Bow Dunn and James L Findlay, 1899-1902, form an imposing gateway between the Old and the New Towns. The blocks on the east side were stone-cleaned and repaired in 2002.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56561096

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.

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