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Summary

Description

Archibald Eliot, 1819. 3-storey, with attic storey to slightly advanced central and outer sections, 25-bay Classical office building on steeply sloping site, dropping to 7 storeys at E (Calton Road). Ashlar, rubble to rear (S). Base course, band courses, cornice, raised cills to S. Balustraded parapet to recessed sections. Round-arched window recesses to ground with deep set windows. Central, 6-panel, 2-leaf entrance doors to N and W with semi-circular fanlights above.

N ELEVATION: symmetrical. Slightly advanced central 5-bay and outer 3-bay sections. Central tetrastyle fluted Ionic portico rising through 1st and 2nd storeys. Giant Corinthian style pilasters to outer 3-bay sections, rising through 1st and 2nd storeys.

W ELEVATION: 4-bays. 3-bays to left with advanced ground storey with pedimented, giant fluted tetrastyle Ionic portico above.

Predominantly 12-pane and 6-over 9-pane timber sash and case windows to upper floors, 7-over 6-pane timber round-arched timber sash and case windows to ground. Tall, coped stacks.

Statement of Special Interest

Part of an 'A' Group with Nos 6-20 Waterloo Place, Nos 1-29 Waterloo Place, Waverleygate, Regent Bridge, Register House, Balmoral Hoel and 5-43 Leith Street.

A major example of the Greek Revival work of Archibald Elliot, one of Edinburgh's leading architects in the early 19th century, this building adjoins the single open arch of Regent Bridge to the East and the grandeur of the design contributes significantly to character of the area. It is a well-detailed, imposing office building with a distinctive, terminating Ionic portico to its West elevation, which forms a key view from Princes Street and an impressive Classical elevation forming part of the streetscape of Regent Bridge (see separate listing). The 3-bay West façade mirrors a similar one on the N side of the road at Nos 1-21 Waterloo Place (see separate listing) and together these paired porticos form a significant element of the vista along Princes Street towards Calton Hill and the east. They were designed to create the effect of a prestigious triumphal exit and this effect is enhanced by the grandeur of the palace-fronts lining both sides of Waterloo Place itself.

A plan to form an access to Calton Hill from the east end of Princes Street had been suggested as early as 1790 (probably by John Paterson, Robert Adam's clerk of works). At the time, however, it proved to be impractical due to the difficulties of gaining permission to disturb the Calton Burying Ground (see separate listing) and the expense involved in acquiring and demolishing the properties which stood on the proposed new route. Finally, in 1813 and 1814, Acts were introduced which allowed for the construction of the new bridge and road over the Low Calton ravine and permitted the acquisition of the necessary properties and the intersection of the Calton Burying Ground. Archibald Eliot's design for the bridge and the accompanying houses was approved in 1815, although it was modified to include Robert Stevenson's ideas that the bridge should be open 'for the sake of the views'. The contract for the bridge was signed in the summer of 1816, and construction began. Feuing of the building plots began in July 1817, and later in the year a Mr Peter Lorimer bought all the lots. This ensured the consistent and faithful execution of Elliot's scheme.

Archibald Eliot (1760-1823) was one of the leading architects in early 19th century Scotland. His works included public buildings and private commissions throughout the country. He designed in both Classical and Gothic styles.

References from previous list description: Groome; MacRae Her 39 and Modern Athens (Shepherd).

List description revised as part of Edinburgh Holyrood Ward resurvey 2007-08.

References

Bibliography

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