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Summary

Description

Robert Brown, 1826. 3-storey part basement and attic 9-bay commercial terrace comprising former townhouses (converted to flats); later plain classical shop fronts at ground floor (some later at 7-10), with pilastraded basement to Nos. 12-13; later box dormers at attic. Sandstone ashlar; corniced timber shop fronts at ground floor; plain stallrisers; recessed and pilastered to right (N) with platt oversailing basement. Banded cill course to 1st and 2nd floors. Corniced eaves course. Doorway to upper accommodation to centre with large square margin fanlight, and narrow sidelights. Architraved and corniced windows at 1st floor.

Plate glass to ground floor shop fronts; 16-pane (lying pane pattern)

in timber sash and case windows at 1st floor; 12-pane in timber sash and case windows at 2nd floor and attic (plate glass to left (S) at attic). Double pitch M-section roof; grey slates. Coped ashlar ridge stacks, modern clay cans. Cast-iron railings edging basement recess to street to right (N). Cast-iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Special Interest

This former terrace at Melville Place is a good survival of the early work of Robert Brown. The block is characteristic of Brown's designs for the Walker Estate, more of which can still be seen at 24 Shandwick Place (see separate listing). The block still demonstrates vestiges of the original early scheme, before purpose built commercial premises were erected in the later 19th century.

Robert Brown was an experienced architect, and by the time he was involved with the deigns for the Walker Estate he had already designed several other urban schemes, including between 1810 and 1830 laying out streets in Portobello on land belonging to the Marques of Abercorn. His 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 Marques of Tweeddale. Robert Brown worked on a number of smaller projects in the New Town but the cohesive planning of the Walker estate is amongst one of the best examples of his work. He was especially competent in the design of corner pavilions and parades of shops, as can be seen in his work at North West Circus Place (see separate listing).

(List description revised 2009 as part of re-survey.)

References

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