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Summary

Description

W H Playfair, 1829-32, with later additions by A F Balfour Paul, 1908-9. Imposing, two-storey, T-plan, Surgeons' Hall in the Greek Revival style with a fluted Ionic hexastyle portico with palmette frieze and carved foliage decoration, its columns resting on a tall screen wall. Chamfered sandstone ashlar with base course, band course, and cornice. Coursed rubble to rear with ashlar dressings. Tall timber panelled and metal studded entrance door with consoled pediment above.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: North and south elevations both have a full-height single bay pedimented projection with paired Doric pilasters to the corners. Behind towards the rear, are advanced three-bay sections with Doric loggias to ground (the section to north having a Venetian window). Two-storey corridor at southeast corner links to Nos 6 and 7 Hill Square, with glass and timber swing entrance doors.

SCREEN WALL, GATES, AND RAILINGS: Tall, channelled and coped ashlar screen wall fronting the street, incorporating pair of pedimented gateways with scrolled buttresses. Base course. Decorative cast-iron gates. Low coped wall to west surmounted with decorative cast-iron railings and incorporating four cast-iron lamp standards. Mixture of glazing; predominantly 12 and 4-pane timber sash and case windows with some fixed stained-glass windows.

INTERIOR: (seen 2007). Excellent decorative scheme with some original Playfair features. Timber and glass revolving doors lead to double height coffered, domed entrance hall. Sweeping D-shaped staircase with stained-glass stair window. Major rooms have timber panelling and classical fire surrounds. 6-panel timber doors, many with deep cornices. Decorative cornicing. Lecture hall with ornately decorated plaster coved ceiling and cornicing. Elaborate carved plaster doorheads. 7-bay nave and aisle plan galleried museum hall with Doric pilastered piers and glass-coffered ceiling.

Statement of Special Interest

Surgeons' Hall (currently known as the Playfair Building, 2024) is an exceptional building by one of the country's leading exponents of Greek Revival architecture. It is particularly distinguished by its large-scale Ionic portico, with screen walls and gates presenting a monumental frontage to the street, as well as its impressive interior decorative scheme. The monumentality of the building is enhanced by its positioning at the centre of the available site.

An eminent architect and leading figure in Edinburgh's Enlightenment, William H Playfair (1789-1857) designed many buildings in the capital including the National Gallery (1848), The Royal Scottish Academy (1822-6) and the Royal Circus (see separate listings). His buildings in the Greek Revival style helped to create Edinburgh's Enlightenment character. Surgeons' Hall is considered one of the best examples of his work.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has been in continuous existence since 1505 when, as The Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh, it was incorporated as a Craft Guild of the City. Their first meeting place was in Dickson's Close in 1647. As the Incorporation expanded, they required a building with an anatomical theatre and in 1697, they moved into Old Surgeons' Hall (see separate listing) in High School Yards. Having outgrown this space by the beginning of the 19th century, they purchased the Riding School on Nicolson Street on which site the current building was constructed.

Surgeons' Hall was altered and adapted in 1908-9 by the architect Balfour Paul, who extended the surgical collection/museum into part of Nos 6 and 7 Hill Square (see separate listing). A F Balfour Paul (1875-1938) was an Edinburgh based architect who practised primarily in Edinburgh. His work includes both private houses and public buildings.

The listed building record was revised in 2008 as part of Edinburgh Holyrood Ward resurvey. The statutory address was updated in 2015, with further minor revisions to the list description. Previously listed as 'Nicolson Street, Surgeon's Hall including screen wall, gates, railing and lamp standards'.

The statutory address was updated in 2024. Previously listed as 'University of Edinburgh, Surgeon's Hall, Including Screen Wall, Gates, Railings and Lamp Standards, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh'.

References

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