Description
J M Dick Peddie (Edinburgh), 1898-1900. Symmetrical
commercial building, 5 storeys, 7 x 7 bays; classical
with baroque detailing. Polished ashlar, rusticated at
ground and 1st floors. Main entrance in central bay to
St Vincent Street through arched portal (rising through
ground and 1st floors) framed by giant paired Ionic
pilasters, sculpted pediment; flanked by windows in
Gibbs surrounds; continuous cornice over 1st floor.
Wider outer bays; framed by paired giant Corinthian
engaged columns (2nd/3rd floors) by paired decorative
consoles (4th). Tripartite windows to each floor, centre
lights detailed as windows in inner bays.
INNER BAYS: 2nd floor windows Ionic aedicules with
curving cornices forming plinth for balustrade to
pilastered and corniced 3rd floor windows; moulded
architraves 4th floor windows; bracketted cornice and
balustrade above. Buchanan Street elevation similarly
detailed exept for ground floor with shop fronts formed
1985; central arched doorpiece with inscribed scroll
"National Bank Chambers".
INTERIOR: square banking hall with marble walls; 3 bays
of coupled Ionic columns with swag capitals; glazed
coffered ceiling, glass dome.