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Summary

Description

Probably Robert Brown, circa 1819-24. 9-bay terrace comprising 2, 2-storey 3-bay classical townhouses and advanced 3-storey, 3-bay corner block (breakfronted pedimented bay to centre); basement and attics; 4-bay return to Alva Street with blind openings to right hand bays. Later advanced timber and glazed shopfront at ground floor to No. 13 in plain classical style with radial glazing pattern and incorporating entrance to townhouse to far right. Sandstone ashlar, channelled ashlar at ground floor. Base course; band course between ground and 1st floors; banded cill course at 1st floor; corniced eaves course. Rectangular dormers (bi-partite to No. 13.)

Predominantly plate glass in timber sash and case windows. Some 12-pane in timber sash and case windows; 15-pane glazing in fixed timber frames, double glazed double timber doors to ground floor shop front. Sandstone skews and grey slates. Corniced ashlar pediment apex and gable end stacks with modern clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Cast-iron railings edging basement recess to Nos. 11 and 15.

Statement of Special Interest

Stafford Street is a fine example of largely unaltered plain classical terrace of good proportions. It formed an integral part of the Walker Estate as a cross axis containing secondary housing. Its original relationship to the Georgian commercial and service streets which bisect it, and to other residential streets is well preserved.

Stafford Street was a joint development between the Erskine Trustees and Sir Patrick Walker. This has led to some confusion over who was responsible for the design, Robert Brown (Walker's Architect) or Gillespie Graham (Erskine's architect). It seems most likely that Brown was the architect as the scheme is relatively modest in design, and clearly subordinate to Melville Street. Even the corner pavilions are relatively subdued in their execution. The comparative developments by Gillespie Graham (for instance on Alva Street - see separate listing) have very different compositions.

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

Bibliography

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