Description

David McGibbon, 1867-70. 4-storey and basement mansard-roofed block of tenement flats with 3 spired polygonal towers, at corner of Glengyle and Leven Terraces. Polished ashlar. Band courses between basement and ground levels, at window-head to ground, 1st and 3rd floors (carved rosette motif to 3rd), and cill bands at 1st and 3rd; mutuled eaves cornice. Bracketed windows in moulded surrounds, corniced at ground and 1st floors, slightly battered at 3rd floor; ornamented with high quality chip carving; stone mullions to bipartites.

S (GLENGYLE TERRACE) ELEVATION: 4-bays: 6-storey polygonal towers to outer bays with steeply-pitched ball-finialled slated prismatic roofs; 2 centre bays regularly fenestrated; pedimented dormers to attic; aedicule between 1st floor windows dated (1869) and carved - crowned lion's head, motto ('and spare e'en do nocht') and initials (WDM - WD McGregor - builder/developer).

E (LEVEN TERRACE) ELEVATION: 6-bay block: 6-storey polygonal corner towers to outer bays with ball-finialled slated conical roofs. 4 inner bays regularly fenestrated; pedimented dormers to attic; doors and windows alternate in ground floor bays; timber panelled doors with plate glass fanlights; stone steps and platts over-arching basement areas.

RAILINGS: spear-headed cast-iron railings on low stone coped wall to basement area and steps.

Predominantly plate glass in timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Rendered stacks at wallhead (splayed) and ridge.

Statement of Interest

B group comprises Nos 1 and 2 Glengyle Terrace, 40-44 Leven Street, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 Glengyle Terrace and Nos 14-16 Leven Terrace. Built on the grounds of Villafield House (shown on Kirkwood 1817 etc), these buildings occupy an important and sensitive situation, bordering Bruntsfield Links. Designed somewhat in the manner of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, but also reflecting MacGibbon's interest in contemporary French architecture, (although described by 'The Builder' as 'in the usual style, flat though unfortunately not unprofitable) they are strongly articulated and finished to a very high standard. Similar terraces, less expensively executed, continue along Leven Terrace and into Brougham Place and Valleyfield Street

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77777406

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

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)